D1.2 REE Balance Problem Analysis

The balance between the demand by the economic markets and the earth elements (REEs) in ores is a major issue for REE suppliers. This is the so (or Balancing Problem). The ideal situation is a perfect match between the demand and production nof REEs, so that there are no surpluses of any of the REEs. The Balance Prrare-earth industry has to find new applications for REEs that are available in excess, or to search for substitutions for REEs that have limited availability and that are high in dgiven for the trends in applications of the different REEs. It is shown that magnesium and aluminium alloys offer an excellent opportunity to mitigate the Balance Problem. This is illustrated for the REEs recycled from fluorescent lamp phosphor waste batteries (NiMH batteries). At present, five REEs are being considered as very critical (Nd, Eu, Tb, Dy,Y), but it is forecast that on the medium relationship between criticality and the Balance Problem is discussed.