Rare earth: why cars, electronics and mrts could become rare

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In der Automobilindustrie wird die bevorstehende Knappheit seltener Erden als eine „Chipknappheit auf Steroiden“ bezeichnet. Diese wertvollen Mineralien sind entscheidend für die Produktion von alltäglichen Produkten, die von Autos über Jet-Triebwerke bis hin zu Elektronikgeräten wie Smartphones und Flachbildfernsehern reichen. Eine mögliche Verknappung dieser Mineralien erinnert stark an die Chipkrise während der Pandemie, die die …
In the automotive industry, the upcoming scarcity is less common as a "chip shortage on steroids". These valuable minerals are crucial for the production of everyday products ranging from cars to jet engines to electronic devices such as smartphones and flat screen TVs. A possible shortage of these minerals is strongly reminiscent of the chip crisis during the pandemic, which ... (Symbolbild/DNAT)

In the automotive industry, the upcoming scarcity is less commonly called earth as a "chip shortage on steroids". These valuable minerals are crucial for the production of everyday products ranging from cars to jet engines to electronic devices such as smartphones and flat screen TVs. A possible shortage of these minerals is strongly reminiscent of the chip crisis during the pandemic, which drove the prices for new cars and used cars in the USA.

The role of China in the market less often

china has a factual monopoly over the 17 metallic elements that are essential for various industrial applications. These rare earths are not only important for automobile manufacturers, but also for medical applications, including contrast medium in MRI devices and some cancer medication.

new export restrictions and possible effects

In April, China introduced new license requirements for the export of these elements, which significantly slowed international trade. Delegations from the USA and China meet in London this week to negotiate a new trade contract. The rare earths are likely to be a central topic.

delivery bottlenecks in the US industry

Currently US companies only have a supply for about two to three months. Gracelin Baskaran, director of the Critical Mineral Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, warns that industry may no longer be able to produce if no trade agreement is achieved between the USA and China.

consequences for automotive production

Already now some companies such as Ford have to accept production stops. Rumors state that the work that builds the Ford Explorer was closed for a week, although the company did not want to confirm or deny this.

urgent need for action

With the increasing importance of rare earths for the US industry, there are efforts to find alternatives. Roderick Eggert, professor at the Colorado School of Mines, emphasizes that substitute materials are available, but often remain behind the conventional materials in terms of performance and efficiency.

conclusion: a common interest

The only hope of avoiding considerable production interruptions is in agreement between the USA and China. Eggert emphasizes that it is in China's interest to remain a stable and trustworthy source of less frequent earth. The current tensions in the trade relationship between the two countries make the negotiations considerably more difficult.

The name "Rare Earth" is misleading because these materials are widespread in the earth's crust, but their extraction and processing is difficult and expensive. China currently controls 92% of global processing capacities for these minerals. While other countries, including the United States, are trying to build their own processing systems, this process will take months to years. BASKARAN concludes that there should have been much more measures in the past 15 years to be prepared for such scenarios.