The article discusses Europe's dependence on China for rare earths, a group of 17 soft metals with unique properties such as strong magnetism or high temperature resistance. LKAB, a Swedish mining company, has been working to reduce the EU's reliance on China by developing its own production capabilities and exploring new technologies to refine rare earths.
The article highlights the challenges of accessing and processing rare earths, which are often found in small amounts in the Earth's crust and require complex extraction and separation processes. China's dominance in the global market is largely due to its ability to process and export these materials with minimal environmental impact.
LKAB has invested €80m (£69m) in a new "demonstration" plant in Luleå, Sweden, to test new technologies for refining rare earths. The company has also taken a stake in the Norwegian company REEtec to develop an environmentally friendly way of refining the extract.
The article notes that China controls 85% of the final processing of light rare earths and 100% of the heavy rare earths, making it a major player in the global market. However, the EU is working to reduce its dependence on China by developing its own production capabilities and exploring new technologies.
The article also highlights the importance of permanent magnets, which are widely used in applications such as speakers, headphones, toys, cars, and military equipment. The production of permanent magnets generates radioactive byproducts that can contaminate water and soil, making it essential to develop more environmentally friendly alternatives.
Overall, the article suggests that LKAB's efforts to reduce Europe's reliance on China for rare earths are crucial in reducing the continent's vulnerability to trade disruptions and geopolitical tensions.
The article highlights the challenges of accessing and processing rare earths, which are often found in small amounts in the Earth's crust and require complex extraction and separation processes. China's dominance in the global market is largely due to its ability to process and export these materials with minimal environmental impact.
LKAB has invested €80m (£69m) in a new "demonstration" plant in Luleå, Sweden, to test new technologies for refining rare earths. The company has also taken a stake in the Norwegian company REEtec to develop an environmentally friendly way of refining the extract.
The article notes that China controls 85% of the final processing of light rare earths and 100% of the heavy rare earths, making it a major player in the global market. However, the EU is working to reduce its dependence on China by developing its own production capabilities and exploring new technologies.
The article also highlights the importance of permanent magnets, which are widely used in applications such as speakers, headphones, toys, cars, and military equipment. The production of permanent magnets generates radioactive byproducts that can contaminate water and soil, making it essential to develop more environmentally friendly alternatives.
Overall, the article suggests that LKAB's efforts to reduce Europe's reliance on China for rare earths are crucial in reducing the continent's vulnerability to trade disruptions and geopolitical tensions.
. I mean, €80m is a decent investment, but can they really make it work on a massive scale? And what's the point of developing new technologies if we're just going to end up relying on new suppliers in the next 10 years? 
They're so reliant on China, it's like they're holding a dagger to their own neck 
I mean, can you imagine if China just stopped exporting them? It'd be a major mess for the EU's tech industry 
Anyway, it's cool that LKAB is investing in new tech and trying to develop their own refining capabilities 
They should totally get some recognition for this 
they're used in tons of stuff like cars, speakers, and even some kinds of headphones 
so it's great to see LKAB trying to develop new ways to refine them in Sweden 
with all that investment they're making, I hope we'll see a shift away from relying on China soon 
. anyway, i guess it's good to see lkaab stepping up the game and trying to reduce europe's reliance on china... 
i mean, lkaB is doing the right thing by investing all this cash into new tech and stuff but it'll be a while before we see actual change 
permanent magnets are def game changers tho 
gotta have clean tech to save our planet from all that radioactive junk 
Need more European solutions, not just new tech to process the same old problems! 
It's crazy how much Europe is still dependent on China for those rare earths. I'm glad LKAB is stepping up and trying to find new ways to process them without being too harsh on the environment. 