Abstract
INTRODUCTION
The rare earths are a group of fifteen metallic elements that have unique
properties which make them indispensable for many technological applications.
While these metals are not found as commodity materials such as steel,
aluminum, and copper, they are a critical ingredient in many materials and
components used in the electronics, automotive, environmental protection and
petrochemical sectors. As these industries grow and as research around the
world continues to develop applications for rare earths, demand for these
materials is expected to continually increase. The supply of the rare earths
is complex and has experienced considerable volatility over the past 2
decades. A thorough understanding of the rare earth elements is needed because
of their importance to industry.
The goal of this report is to provide a detailed and comprehensive
multi-client study of the worldwide market for rare earth products and
technologies and potential business opportunities in the future. The
objectives include thorough coverage of the underlying economic issues driving
the rare earth business, as well as assessments of new and potential
technologies, products, and services that companies are developing. Social,
political, and regulatory issues are also covered. Another important objective
is to provide realistic market data and forecasts for worldwide rare earth
products demand.
This technology/marketing report starts with an overview of the chemistry and
physics of rare earths, and the processes to extract and produce rare earth
products, and then moves on to specific applications for rare earth materials.
It describes the market growth, the developing technology trends, industry
leaders, and applications for these rare earth products. World markets are
covered next, followed by an analysis of the industry structure and profiles
of the leading rare earth companies.
SCOPE OF STUDY
This report contains:
- The rare earth materials market, especially for applications in
rechargeable batteries, hydrogen storage, advanced ceramics, permanent
magnets, metallurgy, catalysts, lasers, fiber optics, glass, phosphors and
superconductors
- An overview of the rare earths materials market, with precise definitions
and terminology important to understanding the market
- Global market forecasts through 2010
- Profiles for all the major companies involved in the market
- A detailed patent analysis.
METHODOLOGY
A comprehensive and exhaustive search of the literature on rare earths was
conducted. These secondary sources included chemical and mining journals and
related books, trade literature, marketing literature, other
product/promotional literature, annual reports, security analyst reports, and
other publications.
ANALYST' S CREDENTIALS
Dr. Sinton is the principal of CW Sinton Consulting and an adjunct professor
of Geology at the University of Vermont. He is the former director of the
Center for Environmental and Energy Research at Alfred University in Alfred,
NY. He holds a PhD and MS from Oregon State University and a BA from
Middlebury College.
View Cart
