Nowhere is the recycling of Rare Earth Elements (REEs) more of an active concern than in Europe. REEs recycling in increasingly being seen as an important way of harvesting these scarce metals. China has largely cornered the market in REEs with an estimated 35-40 percent of global reserves. With restrictions on their export from China and increasing worldwide demand, REEs recycling is seen as a way around import dependence. REEs include 17 metals essential in the production of many high-tech products including electric cars and wind turbines.
In February 2012, the European Commission highlighted the importance of technological innovation including reycling as a means of securing raw materials. In September 2011 resolution, the European Parliament specifically pointed to the importance of REE recycling.
REE recycling is still in its infancy and a number of technological and regulatory challenges will need to be addressed.
For more information on the issue of REEs recycling see the document entitled ‘Rare earth elements and recycling possibilities‘, which provides a comprehensive overview of what REEs are, and the current challenges faced by the EU with regard to REE supply and recycling.
© 2013, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.
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