Procuring Rare Earth: Supply, Demand, Pricing, and Top Ten Companies

FARMINGTON, Conn., Jan. 24, 2013 -- The first rare earths were discovered in the late 1700s, although commercial applications for these materials remained limited until the 1960s. Once the United States was the world's leading supplier but the mine was closed for environmental reasons. The Chinese then became dominant in production.

During the past twenty years there has been an explosion in demand for many items that require rare earth metals. Rare earth metals and alloys that contain them are used in many devices that people use every day such as: computer memory, DVD's, rechargeable batteries, cell phones, car catalytic converters, magnets, fluorescent lighting and much more. Other substances can be substituted for rare earth elements in their most important uses; however, these substitutes are usually much less effective and have a higher cost.

Global Information (GII) recommends four market research reports that evaluate mining projects worldwide, current and future availability of rare earths, and provide the status of companies that may change the availability and pricing of rare earths and rare metals. Executives and organizations can benefit by using these reports to plan procurement strategies, benchmark internal performance, and negotiate rare earth prices.

Rare Earths Elements in High-Tech Industries: Market Analysis and Forecasts Amid China's Trade Embargo

China, the world's largest rare earths producer, cut export quotas for the minerals needed to make hybrid cars and televisions by 72 percent for the second half, raising the possibility of a trade dispute with the U.S. Shipments will be capped at 7,976 metric tons, down from 28,417 tons for the same period a year ago, according to data from the Ministry of Commerce. Manufacturers of a broad spectrum of high-tech products are feeling the impact of price hikes in rare earth element-based processing materials because of the Chinese embargo.

The unique chemical, magnetic, electrical, and optical properties of rare earth elements have led to an ever increasing variety of applications. These uses range from automobile exhaust catalysts to consumer products that include phosphors in color television and flat panel displays (cell phones, portable DVDs, and laptops), to rechargeable batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles, and numerous medical devices. There are important defense applications such as jet fighter engines, missile guidance systems, antimissile defense, and space-based satellites and communication systems. Permanent magnets containing neodymium, are used in hard disk drives and wind turbines.

Top Ten Companies in Rare Earths

This study highlights the details of the top ten rare earth companies and the details of their mines and products as well as technology advancements, executives and present financial situations of these companies. Some acknowledgement is made of how the geopolitical scene plays into the production and utilization of rare earths and the newer combinations of materials that are being investigated.

Companies profiled include: Baota Steel Rare Earth Hi-Tech Co., Ltd., China Rare Earth Holdings Ltd., Solvay Group – Rhoda S.A., Indian Rare Earths Ltds., Molycorp Inc., Lynas Corporation, Mitsui Mining and Smelting, Irtysh Rare Earths Ltd., Gansu Rare Earth Group, and Arafura Resources Ltd.

Rare Earth Manufacturer & Supplier: Chinatungsten Online - http://www.chinatungsten.com
Tel.: 86 592 5129696; Fax: 86 592 5129797
Email: sales@chinatungsten.com
Tungsten News & Tungsten Prices, 3G Version: http://3g.chinatungsten.com
Tungsten News & Tungsten Prices, WML Version: http://m.chinatungsten.com

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