Since the global military and high-tech industries have to rely on rare earth as raw materials for production, China, which holds a large number of rare earth deposits, has a relative advantage in negotiations. Recently, it has been reported that a large rare earth deposit has been discovered in Norway, and the estimated reserves are as high as 80 billion tons. This could make the EU less dependent on China and Russia and boost the bloc's energy transition.

Pt/α-MoC catalyst realizes high-efficiency catalytic hydrogen (H₂) production process. Platinum (Pt) atomically dispersed on α-molybdenum carbide (α-MoC) enables low-temperature, base-free hydrogen production. Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) running on hydrogen are attractive alternative power supplies for a range of applications, with in situ release of the required hydrogen from a stable liquid offering one way of ensuring its safe storage and transportation before use.

At present, the Chilean National Copper Corporation currently sells 25,000t/y of refined copper in Southeast Asia, and US$150-300mn worth of copper concentrates and molybdenum in India, which does not buy refined metal due to taxes of almost 5% on cathodes. Therefore, it does not export refined copper to India. Codelco hopes to quadruple its exports to Southeast Asia and India.

Australia-Malaysia rare earths producer Lynas has entered into an agreement with the US government to build a commercial light rare earth separation plant in America. Lynas is the largest non-Chinese producer of separated rare earth products and there are several other companies with smaller separation facilities operating in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. The second largest non-Chinese producer is Toronto-based Neo Performance Materials, which has plants in Europe and Asia-Pacific.

At present, there are two production methods for producing molybdenum electrodes, namely the smelting method and the powder metallurgy production method. The molybdenum electrode produced by the smelting method owns high purity, low N, O and other gas content, it could reach the level of less than 10ppm, but the production cost is high. The powder metallurgy method is low-cost, but the content of C and O is too high to meet the requirements of the glass fiber industry. Therefore, a new production method for producing high-purity molybdenum electrode is required.

Analysis of latest tungsten market from Chinatungsten Online

China cesium tungsten bronze and tungsten bar prices remain stable in early February due to quiet trading activity with more and more companies are off duty for the holiday of Spring Festival. 

With the increased festive atmosphere and weakened policy dividends, the activity of inquiries and purchases on the market has decreased, resulting in fewer new orders. In the short term, the industry will focus on the transaction status of the market after the holiday. 

Ferro molybdenum, ammonium molybdate and ammonium heptamolvbdate prices are unchanged from the previous trading day on February 4, 2021. Driven by the recent rise in international molybdenum prices, domestic molybdenum chemical companies have a high bullish sentiment. 

Analysis of latest tungsten market from Chinatungsten Online

The ammonium metatungstate (APT) and tungsten carbide powder prices in the Chinese market continue to maintain stability in early February with the support from good confidence of upstream sellers. Meanwhile, downstream still is worried about the weakness in the demand side. 

Rare earth market quotation in China: lanthanum oxide price remains unchanged while DyFe and dysprosium oxide prices rise slightly on February 3, 2021.