Rare Earth Uses

Nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) batteries use cerium, lanthanum, and neodymium to improve efficiency and durability. They power mobile phones, laptops, cameras, and other portable devices.

These batteries are also vital for hybrid and electric vehicles, medical devices, and backup systems. Rare earths remain critical for performance, supporting cleaner transport, renewable integration, and sustainable energy storage solutions.

Europium and terbium are vital in phosphors used for lighting and display technologies. They produce efficient, stable luminescence for televisions, computer monitors, and advanced lighting systems.

Although phosphors account for only about 7% of rare earth demand by volume, their high cost makes them significant by value. Their role in electronic displays and efficient lighting remains indispensable.

Cerium is widely used in glass manufacturing. It filters ultraviolet light, improving durability and protection in optical and industrial glass applications.

It is also used in polishing powders that exploit its unique chemical and mechanical properties. These allow precision finishing of lenses, screens, and scientific glass, making cerium vital to both performance and processing functions.

Rare earths are central to fuel cell technology, a promising clean energy source for vehicles and power generation.

In solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), rare earths are essential for separator stacks, with no substitutes available. They enhance durability and conductivity, enabling reliable energy conversion and supporting global efforts to expand sustainable, low-emission power solutions.

Hybrid and electric vehicles rely heavily on neodymium magnets. In 2020, six to ten million hybrids were produced, each using around two kilograms of magnets.

Total neodymium demand for vehicle magnets reached 15,000–20,000 tons that year. These materials are critical for motors, steering, braking, and sensors, making rare earths central to electrified transport systems.

Wind turbines require large volumes of neodymium magnets. Hybrid designs use about 200 kilograms per megawatt, while direct-drive turbines need 500–600 kilograms.

Replacing a 500 MW coal plant with wind would require 275 tons of magnets. In 2020, turbine demand for neodymium was around 10,000 tons, highlighting its importance to renewable energy generation.

Air conditioning is a rapidly expanding sector for rare earths. Neodymium magnets increase system efficiency by about 20%, reducing energy consumption.

In 2020, global demand for neodymium magnets in this industry exceeded 5,000 tons. With urban growth and rising cooling needs, air conditioning represents a growing market for efficient, rare earth-based technologies worldwide.