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OK! The aim of this framework is to map REE flows from in-ground to utilized stocks for a global just transition. a, The role of various circular economy strategies, including reuse, reduction, substitution and recycling, in moving soil minerals into exploited stocks. b, How the transition of REEs can support the clean and just transition and its spread from mining sites to end users around the world. Photo credit: Nature Geoscience (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41561-023-01350-9
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The aim of this framework is to map REE flows from in-ground to utilized stocks for a global just transition. a, The role of various circular economy strategies, including reuse, reduction, substitution and recycling, in moving soil minerals into exploited stocks. b, How the transition of REEs can support the clean and just transition and its spread from mining sites to end users around the world. Photo credit: Nature Geoscience (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41561-023-01350-9
Circular economy strategies could significantly boost the transition to a low-carbon world and ensure that rare earth elements (REE) last longer, shows a new study published in Nature Geoscience.
REE are by definition rare and finite. Researchers have presented a novel integrated model that quantifies how circular economy strategies can transform global supply chains for critical rare earth elements such as neodymium, dysprosium and terbium. Their analysis shows that circular economy strategies can lead to a 701 kt increase in secondary supply and a 2,306 kt decrease in demand over the next three decades.
REEs play a critical role in producing various technologies essential to delivering low-carbon energy and transportation systems. Given the limited supply from underground REE mines, circular economy strategies have gained attention as potential solutions to address supply chain issues. However, the specific impacts of these strategies on the global supply and demand landscape for rare earths are largely unknown.
To address this knowledge gap, the international team of researchers, with participation from the University of Newcastle, developed an integrated model to examine the complex relationships between REEs and climate promises and quantify the potential of circular economy strategies to transform global REEs supply chains.
Their results show a significant mismatch between soil reserves, supply and demand at specific region and element levels, with the mismatch in the supply of heavy rare earth elements posing a key barrier to achieving net-zero emissions targets.
Transforming global REE supply chains
The study highlights the critical role of circular economy strategies, including reduction, substitution, reuse and recycling, which will reshape global REE supply chains. Implementation of these strategies will result in an increase in REE supply from urban mines over the next three decades, which can significantly reduce dependence on REE mining. Some regions, such as the EU, could also achieve a closed REE supply loop by implementing circular economy strategies.
The study, featured on the cover of Nature Geoscience, involved researchers from the Institute of Urban Environment of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Peking University, Newcastle University, Leiden University in the Netherlands and other institutions.
The study's author, Professor Oliver Heidrich, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Newcastle University School of Engineering, said: “Our model takes into account both in-ground and utilized reserves, as well as their quite dramatic geographical shift in ten regions since 2001.” by 2050 under three widely accepted climate scenarios. Our study sheds important light on demand and supply and provides a good understanding of geopolitical dynamics, climate objectives and how natural resources could be used for political purposes.”
The results can serve as a scientific basis for international collaboration in promoting REE's circular economy strategies for global and equitable low-carbon transitions.
More information:
Peng Wang et al., Regional supply and demand of rare earth elements in balance with circular economy strategies, Nature Geoscience (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41561-023-01350-9
Magazine information:
Natural geosciences
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