Abstract
Introduction
Much has been written recently about the impact of China' s rare earth element
(REE) embargo. In a nutshell, 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.
The unique chemical, magnetic, electrical, and optical properties of the REE
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.
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 morel
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.
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, according to our report “ Rare Earths Elements In
High-Tech Industries: Market Analysis And Forecasts Amid China' s Trade
Embargo. ”
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 - Introduction
- 1.1. Rare Earth Element Characteristics
- 1.2. Rare Earth Element Resources
- 1.3. Overview of Rare Earth Element Applications
Chapter 2 - Rare Earth Industry
- 2.1. China' Rare Earth Industry
- 2.1.1. China' s Production
- 2.1.2. China Rare Earth Production Structure
- 2.1.3. China Rare Earth Consumption Structure
- 2.1.4. China Export of Rare Earths
- 2.1.5. Recent Activities Of China' s Rare Earth Industry
- 2.1.5.1. Consolidation Of China' s Rare Earth Industry
- 2.2. Rest Of World' s Rare Earth Industry
- 2.2.1. UNITED STATES
- 2.2.1.1. Mountain Pass
- 2.2.1.2. Utah Rare Earth Project
- 2.2.1.3. Bear Lodge Rare-Earth Project
- 2.2.1.4. Elk Creek
- 2.2.1.5. Bokan-Dotson Ridge
- 2.2.1.6. Diamond Creek
- 2.2.1.7. Lemhi Pass
- 2.2.2. CANADA
- 2.2.2.1. MacLeod Lake Project
- 2.2.2.2. Hoidas Lake
- 2.2.2.3. Benjamin River Project
- 2.2.2.4. Douglas River Project
- 2.2.2.5. Nechalacho Rare Earth Element Project
- 2.2.2.6. Archie Lake
- 2.2.2.7. Bulstrode Rare Earth Property
- 2.2.2.8. Mount Copeland
- 2.2.2.9. Cross Hills Newfoundland
- 2.2.2.10. Kipawa
- 2.2.2.11. Strange Lake
- 2.2.2.12. Ytterby
- 2.2.2.13. Grevet REE
- 2.2.2.14. Turner Falls
- 2.2.3. SOUTH AFRICA
- 2.2.3.1. Steenkampskraal Mine South Africa
- 2.2.4. AUSTRALIA
- 2.2.4.1. Nolans Bore
- 2.2.4.2. Mount Weld
- 2.2.4.3. Jungle Well/ Laverton
- 2.2.5. GREENLAND
- 2.2.5.1. Kvanefjeld Project
- 2.2.6. ARGENTINA
- 2.2.6.1. Cueva del Chacho
- 2.2.6.2. Susques Property - Jujuy Province
- 2.2.6.3. John Galt Project
- 2.2.7. INDIA
- 2.2.7.1. Indian Rare Earth
- 2.2.8. RUSSIA
- 2.3. Profiles of Mining Corporations
Chapter 3 - Rare Earth Market Analysis
- 3.1. Overview
- 3.2. Rare Earth Market
- 3.2.1. Domestic Production and Consumption
- 3.2.2. China Production and Consumption
- 3.3. Global Rare Earth Market Analysis
Chapter 4 - Impact on Hi-Tech Applications
- 4.1. Semiconductors
- 4.1.1. Technology Impacted
- 4.1.1.1. High-k Dielectrics
- 4.1.1.2. Polishing Powders
- 4.1.2. Rare Earth Material Used
- 4.1.3. Market Forecast of Impacted Semiconductor Devices/Materials -
2008 - 2013
- 4.2. Hard Disk Drives (HDDs)
- 4.2.1. Technology Impacted
- 4.2.1.1. Neo Magnets for HDDs
- 4.2.1.2. High Strength Glass Substrates
- 4.2.1.3. Polishing Materials
- 4.2.2. Rare Earth Material Used
- 4.2.3. Market Forecast of Impacted HDD Devices/Materials - 2008 - 2013
- 4.3. Displays - FPD/CRT
- 4.3.1. Technology Impacted
- 4.3.1.1. Polishing Materials
- 4.3.1.2. Phosphors
- 4.3.2. Rare Earth Material Used
- 4.3.3. Market Forecast of Impacted CRT/FPD Devices/Materials - 2008 -
2013
- 4.4. Mobile and Mobile Internet Devices
- 4.4.1. Technology Impacted
- 4.4.2. Rare Earth Material Used
- 4.4.3. Market Forecast of Impacted Mobile Devices/Materials - 2008 - 2013
- 4.5. Solid State Lighting - LED/CFL 4-4
- 4.5.1. Technology Impacted
- 4.5.1.1. Phosphors for Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs)
- 4.5.1.2. Phosphors for Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL)
- 4.5.2. Rare Earth Material Used
- 4.5.3. Market Forecast of Impacted LED Devices/Materials - 2008 - 2013
- 4.6. Green Technology
- 4.6.1. Technology Impacted
- 4.6.1.1. Rare Earths for Hybrid Vehicle Batteries (NiMH)
- 4.6.1.2. Neo Magnets for Hybrid Vehicle Electric Motors and Brakes
- 4.6.1.3. Neo Magnets for Wind Turbines
- 4.6.1.4. Catalytic Converter for Automobiles
- 4.6.2. Rare Earth Material Used
- 4.6.3. Market Forecast of Impacted Green Devices/Materials - 2008 - 2013
- 4.6.4. Other Green Technologies
Chapter 5 - U.S Strategic Metal Perspective
- 5.1. The Application of Rare Earth Metals in National Defense
- 5.2. Rare Earth Resources and Production Potential
- 5.3. Supply Chain Issues
- 5.4. Rare Earth Legislation in the 111th Congress
- 5.4.1. H.R. 6160, Rare Earths And Critical Materials Revitalization Act
Of 2010
- 5.4.2. H.R. 4866, the Rare Earths Transformation Act of 2010
- 5.4.3. S. 3521, Rare Earths Supply Technology and Resources
Transformation Act of 2010
- 5.4.4. H.R. 5136, the Fiscal Year 2011 National Defense Authorization Act
- 5.4.5. P.L. 111-84, the Fiscal Year 2010 National Defense Authorization
Act
- 5.5. Possible Policy Options
- 5.5.1. Authorize And Appropriate Funding For A USGS Assessment
- 5.5.2. Support And Encourage Greater Exploration For REE
- 5.5.3. Challenge China On Its Export Policy
- 5.5.4. Establish A Stockpile
Chapter 6 - European Strategic Metal Perspective
- 6.1. Assessing Criticality
- 6.1.1. Geological And Technical Availability
- 6.1.2. Key Terms And Definitions
- 6.1.3. Geological Availability
- 6.1.4. Technological Development
- 6.1.5. Geopolitical-Economic Availability
- 6.2. Results And List Of Critical Raw Materials
- 6.2.1. Economic Importance And Supply Risks
- 6.2.2. Future Perspectives On Raw Material Demand Implications Of
Technological Change.
- 6.2.3. Emerging technologies and raw materials
Chapter 7 - Rebuilding a U.S. Supply Chain
- 7.1. Non-Chinese Sources of New Rare Earths
- 7.2. Impact of Price Hikes by Application
TABLES
- 1.1. Selected Rare Earth Element Bearing Products
- 1.2. Rare Earths Elements And Some Of Their End Uses
- 2.1. Rare Earth Prices 2007-2010
- 2.2. Global Capacity Of Rare Earth Oxides - 2010
- 2.3. Global Capacity Of Rare Earth Oxides - 2014
- 3.1. U.S. Rare Earth Statistics - 2006-2009
- 3.2. Rare Earth Prices - 2007-2011
- 3.3. Rare Earth Elements: World Production And Reserves - 2009
- 3.4. Rare Earth Oxide Capacity - 2010
- 3.5. Rare Earth Oxide Capacity - 2014
- 3.6. Rare Earth Oxide Demand-Supply - 2010-2014
- 3.7. Rare Earth Composition By End Use
- 4.1. Properties Of Rare Earth Ln2O3 Oxides
- 4.2. Forecast of CMP Slurry 2008-2013
- 4.3. Demand of Rare Earths for Neo Magnets
- 4.4. Market Forecast for Hard Disk Drives by Size 2008-2013
- 4.5. Market Forecast For Ceria Slurry For Glass Disks
- 4.6. Demand of Rare Earths for Polishing Compounts for FPD/CRT
- 4.7. Demand of Rare Earths for Phosphors for FPD/CRT
- 4.8. Market Forecast of FPD/CRT by Type 2008-2013
- 4.9. Market Forecast of Mobile/MID by Type 2008-2013
- 4.10. Demand of Rare Earths for Phosphors for CFLs
- 4.11. Market forecast of Backlight LEDs by Application 2008-2013
- 4.12. Demand of Rare Earths for NiMH Batteries
- 4.13. Demand of Rare Earths for Neo Magnets
- 4.14. Demand for Rare Earths for Automobile Catalysts
- 5.1. Rare Earth Elements: World Production And Reserves - 2009
- 6.1. Rare Earth Applications
- 6.2. Global Metal Production 2009
FIGURES
- 1.1. Periodic Table Of Rare Earth Elements
- 1.2. Abundance Of The Rare Earth Elements
- 1.3. Rare Earth Production Since 1950
- 1.4. China' s Rare Earth Dominance
- 2.1. Rare Earth Proportion And Distribution In China
- 2.2. Production Of Rare Earth Concentrates Since 1998
- 2.3. Production Of Smelting Separation Products Since 1999
- 2.4. Production Of Rare Earth Metals Since 1988
- 2.5. Production Of Rare Earth Oxides Since 1998
- 2.6. Consumption Of Rare Earths Since 1990
- 2.7. Consumption Structure Of China From 1988
- 2.8. Gross Volume Of Exports From 1979
- 2.9. Gross Value Of Exports From 1979
- 3.1. U.S. Distribution Of Refined Rare Earth Products - 2008
- 3.2. Rare-Earth Price Index 2002-2010
- 3.3. Comparison Of Rare Earth Consumption .Between China And The World
- 3.4. Global Supply-Demand Forecast
- 3.5. ROW Supply-Demand Forecast
- 3.6. REO Distribution By Weight - 2010
- 3.7. REO Distribution By Revenue - 2010
- 3.8. REO Distribution By Weight - 2014
- 3.9. REO Distribution By Revenue - 2014
- 3.10. REE Composition By End Use
- 3.11. Approximate Percentage Content Of Current And Prospective Ores
- 4.1. Illustration of MOSFET and Gate Oxide
- 4.2. STI CMP Using Ceria
- 4.3. HDD Drive and Neo Magnets
- 4.4. Glass Media Drive Forecast 2008-2013
- 4.5. Market Forecast For Neo Magnets
- 4.6. Illustration of Phosphors in PDPs
- 4.7. Market Forecast For Neo Magnets
- 4.8. Traditional Design of a 5-mm white LED
- 4.9. Scattered Photon Extraction white LED
- 4.10. Supply Chain for Fluorescent Lighting
- 4.11. Rare Earths Used in Hybrid Vehicles
- 4.12. Hybrid Vehicle Battery (NiMH)
- 4.13. Hybrid Vehicle Electric Motor and Brakes
- 4.14. Wind Turbine Motor
- 4.15. Supply Chain for Permanent Magnets
- 4.16. Catalytic Converter for Automobiles
- 4.17. Forecast of Hybrid Vehicles 2008-2013
- 4.18. Forecast of Wind Generators 2008-2013
- 6.1. Supply Of Strategic Metals To The European Union
中國短期間稀土元素禁輸措施:對今後全球市場的影響為何?
2010年12月01日
Global Information, Inc.已開始銷售美國市場調查公司The Information Network所發行的報告書「Rare Earths Elements In High-Tech Industries: Market Analysis And Forecasts Amid China's Trade Embargo (高科技産業中的稀土元素:市場分析・預測)」
中國發表對美國、歐洲、日本的稀土礦物禁輸措施時,中國政府突然於10月28日決定非正式解除。New York Times傳達,「帶來貿易上緊張氣氛的禁輸措施,與一開始情形一樣,都沒有來自北京的正式發表與中國港灣報關行的任何說明就無疾而終了。」。
中國僅在10日前的10月18日,禁止稀土礦物出貨到歐洲及美國。當然如預料的,這個突然的禁輸措施馬上引起當事國間的緊張。時間追溯到9月底,New York Times曾經報導,中國港灣有關人員向日本礦物貿易業者表示預定禁止重要物資的出口。然依據相關方面消息,禁輸措施解除後,對日本的出貨亦追加審查手續,多少會有點延遲。
禁輸措施後的影響
中國雖重開出貨大門,然海外買方依然為可能供給不足的情形而苦惱。因中國的禁輸措施,使得使用稀土元素的加工材料被轟抬價格,各種高技術產品的製造業者已經受到影響。因此,從禁輸解除前各家公司就擔憂此長期性的影響。價格急劇上升的原因不只是受到禁輸措施的影響。因此,高科技產業在中國國外開發稀土礦業,連機能都與高價格對峙。整體而言,全球市場都受到稀土金屬供給不足的影響。中國本身對稀土的產業需求亦大幅擴大,事實上,北京在過去5年反覆縮小出口分配。New York Times報導「因此,中國即使將分配量全部出貨,對海外的供給量亦使全球的需求大幅下降。」。
今後數年內,在中國以外的稀土礦業將重新開發與營運。據此,全球對中國礦床的依賴度將降低,預估能擴大產品的可用性及使價格穩定化。The Information Network敘述:「此次事件,中國以外各國的稀土開採事業及各國政府•企業們為脫離中國對全球的支配,可說是向前邁出一步、覺醒的機會。」。