Price Developments for Rare Earths, Technology Metals and Precious Metals
Price Developments of Selected Rare Earths*
Dysprosium
Dysprosium is strongly magnetic, and therefore an important part of permanent magnets, which still function reliably at high temperatures. In nuclear reactors it is used as a shielding agent and is part of energy-saving lamps. Dysprosium is also used for laser materials, halogen lamps and glass.
Neodymium
Neodymium significantly improves the performance of magnets. This is why neodymium magnets are found everywhere where high power is required in a small space: In wind turbines, in elevators (for example in the One World Trade Center), in headphones or electric motors. Wind turbines account for the largest consumption – they require several hundred kilograms of neodymium per unit.
Praseodymium
The main use of praseodymium is in high-power magnets. However, it has a number of other applications: For example, praseodymium is used in combination with magnesium to produce high-strength metals for building aircraft engines. Praseodymium is also used for UV eye protection glasses such as welding goggles.
Terbium
The most forward-looking use of terbium is in high-temperature fuel cells: Here it acts as a stabilizer. But it is also found in computer chips and as an oxide in fluorescent tubes. But it also has magnetic “talents”: As an alloying component in neodymium-iron-boron magnets, it increases their performance even further.
Price Developments of Selected Technology Metals*
Gallium
Gallium plays a role in many areas of application. These include, for example, computer chips, electrical engineering, photovoltaics as well as LED and AMOLED. LED and AMOLED light sources are on the rise, the expansion of solar installations is growing steadily worldwide, and high-tech devices such as smartphones and tablets continue to be in high demand.
Germanium
As an elementary component of fiber optics, germanium is highly relevant for the expansion of mobile telecommunications. For example, 5G expansion is not feasible without germanium. Germanium will also be used for glasses with infrared transmission. It is therefore indispensable in night vision devices and thermal imaging cameras.
hafnium
About half of the world’s hafnium production is used for superalloys in aircraft turbines. It enables steels to withstand enormous temperatures. Hafnium is also used as a material for control rods in nuclear reactors and plays a role in laser technology. It is also used in high-performance computer chips.
indium
Indium is used in all touchscreens, so it accompanies our daily lives. But even normal screens need tiny amounts of indium for a perfect picture. Indium is also used in thin-film solar cells, which are increasingly competing with classic silicon solar cells. Indium is also used in nanotechnology.
rhenium
As an alloy component, rhenium ensures high-performance engines for aircraft and rockets. It is also used as a catalyst in oil refining. Because of its high melting point, it is also found to a lesser extent in thermocouples and glow wires.
Price Developments of Selected Precious Metals*
* Prices are for orientation only and do not constitute an offer.