Why rare earths matter

Understanding the crucial role of rare earths in the energy transition

Why are rare earths important for the energy transition? When will there be new magnet capacity in Europe and the US? What are the biggest challenges facing the industry?


Listen to Fastmarkets’ strategic markets editor Caroline Messecar interview rare earths industry veteran Constantine Karayannopoulos, retired CEO of Neo Performance Materials where we tackle these and other key questions.

Spotlight on rare earths
About rare earths

Rare earth metals (the lanthanum series plus yttrium), are a group of elements that have found their way into most areas of modern life – from your smartphone and computer to medical devices, fiber optic cables, water treatment chemicals and catalysts. The use of rare earths in high-performance magnets in the engines of electric and hybrid vehicles and offshore wind turbines is creating unprecedented demand. But new demand is also bringing with it new pressures on the industry to build out the type of supply chains that large modern manufacturers need.

Discover our rare earths prices and insights to stay ahead in this volatile market

Find out more about the launch of Fastmarkets’ rare earths prices and discover further insights here.

What to read next
Imerys has placed its Imerys British Lithium (IBL) project into care and maintenance, suspending active development for the foreseeable future as it reassesses capital allocation and seeks a long-term partner, the company announced on Friday February 20.
Fastmarkets invited feedback from the industry on the pricing methodology for its non-ferrous materials and industrial minerals prices, via an open consultation process between January 6 and February 6. This consultation was done as part of our published annual methodology review process.
The US is being very creative not only in providing funding for projects but also in finding sustainable ways to develop a Western supply of rare earths, Aclara Resources chief executive officer Ramón Barúa Costa told Fastmarkets in an interview on Monday February 9.
The United States convened more than 50 countries in Washington this week for a critical minerals summit that delivered a flurry of new initiatives designed to reshape the geopolitics — and pricing mechanics — of minerals essential to semiconductors, electric vehicles and the defense supply chain.
Fastmarkets has corrected its MB-GD-0001 Gadolinium oxide 99.99%-99.999% fob China, $/kg price, which was published incorrectly.
A new US initiative to establish a stockpile of critical minerals for the civilian economy could add pressure to already stretched supply, market participants told Fastmarkets on Tuesday February 3 and Wednesday February 4.