news flow23 Jun 2021 09:01
Rare earths
Magnets made with neodymium and praseodymium (NdPr) are used in wind turbine generators and electric vehicle motors.
Electric vehicles made without rare earths are less efficient as the battery pack needs to be about 30% larger to cover the same distance, analysts say.
CRU analyst Daan de Jonge sees the energy transition lifting demand and prices for NdPr over coming years to levels that incentivise new projects, but cites caution.
“China owns the intellectual rights regarding processing of rare earths. They invested in the technology when others wouldn’t,” de Jonge said.
China’s dominant position in rare earth supply is worrying for other countries.
Processing rare earths is complicated because there are many metals in the same ore, as opposed to copper ore, for instance, which may contain only cobalt or molybdenum.CRU forecasts NdPr demand from electric vehicles and wind turbines at 41,575 tonnes or 62% of the total in 2025, from 20,544 tonnes or 42% of the total this year.