Rare Earth Elements: A Review of Production, Processing ...

Rare Earth Elements Review Section 5 – Rare Earth Element Recovery/Alternative Material Use
5. Rare Earth Element Recovery/Alternative Material Use
Increased demand and reduced supply of REEs, along with the knowledge of the quantities available in waste
products, has resulted in expanded research and development efforts focused on the recycling of rare earths.
Currently, commercial recycling of rare earths is very limited; however, it is reported in the literature that, within
the next year, several new commercial recycling operations will begin operation, with the focus being on
magnets, batteries, lighting and luminescence, and catalysts. Recycling of postconsumer, end-of-life products,
typically involves four key steps: (1) collection; (2) dismantling; (3) separation (preprocessing); and (4)
processing. A general description of each step is provided, along with the potential waste streams and
environmental impacts. While environmental impacts can occur, when compared with primary processing, it is
reported that controlled recycling of REEs will provide significant benefits with respect to air emissions,
groundwater protection, acidification, eutrophication, and climate protection.
5.1 Introduction
While research on methods for recycling and recovering REEs from as early as 1984 was identified
during our literature review, it is not until recently that more attention within industry and the literature
has been given to the topic of REE recycling. The primary drivers for this renewed focus include the
increased demand for REEs, concern about REE supplies, increasing cost of REEs, and new policies
implemented by some countries mandating REE recycling for selected items. For example,
� Annual global production of REEs totals about 124,000 tons, according to a July 2010 report by
the U.S. Congressional Research Service. By 2014, global demand could exceed 200,000 tons per
year, which would exceed current production by over 75,000 tons per year, according to the
report (Humphries, 2010);
� Currently, China produces over 95 percent of all REEs used in the world. This monopoly has
resulted in concerns with respect to supplies and prices of REEs; and
� Prices are increasing rapidly for REEs and REOs. Dysprosium, which sold for $300/kg in 2010, is
selling for $3,600/kg in 2011 (Gordon, 2011). Figure 5-1 illustrates price trends for selected
REOs over the past few years.
5-1