Countries act to prevent shortages of rare earths
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Countries act to prevent shortages of rare earths
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s demand for rare earths and other raw materials rises, countries around the world are engaging in strategic planning, negotiating international partnerships, and exploring new sources of rare earths. Although the countries have varied goals and policies, the underlying aim is the same for each—ensuring reliable access to the raw materials that sustain ongoing research, development, and manufacturing. China produced over 97% of the 124,000 metric tons of rare earths produced in 2009, but this model is not sustainable. The demand for rare earths and other raw materials is rising around the world, as is the demand for these materials within China. Export levels from China are dropping dramatically and this trend is likely to continue. China may be a net importer of rare earths as soon as 2015, according to a statement read at the Critical Metals Investment Symposium in January 2011 on behalf of Zhanheng Chen, Academic Director of the Chinese Society for Rare Earths. In the last few years, several countries have created strategic plans to avoid disruptions in their raw materials supply chain. For example, the European Commission published the Raw Materials Initiative in November 2008 and adopted an updated strategy document in February 2011. The United States Department of Energy released Critical Materials Strategy in December 2010 (for details on the strategy, see SCIENCE POLICY in the March 2011 issue of MRS Bulletin, p. 158). South Korea’s Ministry of Knowledge Economy released Plans for Stable Procurement of Rare Metals in October 2010. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in Japan released Strategy for Ensuring
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MRS BULLETIN
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VOLUME 36 • APRIL 2011
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Stable Supplies of Rare Materials in July 2009. The policies taking shape around the world address the stability of the raw materials supply from many angles: recycling end-use products, researching and developing potential rare earth substitutes, supporting new mining efforts, building strategic partnerships with other nations, and stockpiling resources while they are still available. Many countries have strategies that incorporate several or all of these methods. The European Union’s (EU) strategy for ensuring access to raw materials has three components: better exploit resources in the EU, find new rare earth sources abroad, and boost the recycling of rare earths. Recycling rare earths is costly and difficult, and until recently has not been seen as economically viable. However, many countries are now revisiting this issue. In particular, the EU is looking at ways to spur recycling innovation and develop best practices in the collection and treatment of waste, in addition to cutting down on the illegal shipments of electronics scrap to developing countries. Rare earths are essential to Japan’s automotive and electronics industries. A key aspect of its strategy is researching materials that could replace those with limited supplies. For example, projects are underway to replace the indium in tr
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