Various recycling processes are currently being developed

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Because of its short lifespan and rarity, promethium is rarely used. In radiometric thickness and level measurements it is used as a beta emitter. In space travel, for example on board satellites, it is used in radionuclide batteries. Promethium is named after Prometheus from Greek mythology.


This element is used to make permanent magnets that have a high resistance to demagnetization. They are used in stepper motors for small appliances and hard drives, in headphones and in certain sensors. The name comes from the mining engineer Samarski, who discovered the mineral samarskite.

Europium is one of the most reactive rare earth metals. It reacts immediately in air, metal dust is flammable and explosive. It ignites at temperatures above 150 °C, and reacts in water to form hydroxide.

It is used in plasma screens, where europium-doped phosphors convert vacuum UV radiation into visible red and blue light. Its fluorescence is used in euro banknotes as a counterfeit protection. It owes its name to the continent of Europe.


Gadolinium compounds are used in the production of rewritable belgium consumer email list compact discs. They are also used as contrast agents in medical examinations using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners. The name comes from the chemist Gadolin, who discovered the mineral gadolinite.


Terbium is used to dope semiconductors. It also stabilizes the structure of high-temperature fuel cells. Terbium is also found in cathode ray tubes and fluorescent lamps. It is added to neodymium-iron-boron magnets to improve resistance to demagnetization. Like yttrium, ytterbium and erbium, it is named after its discovery site, Ytterby in Sweden.


Most dysprosium is used in magnets for wind turbines. It is also used in a lead alloy as a shielding material in nuclear reactors. The name dysprosium is derived from the Greek word “dysprositos” for “inaccessible”.


The ferromagnetic properties of holmium are far superior to those of iron; it is practically the most magnetic naturally occurring element. This is why it is used for high-performance magnets, but also in control rods for nuclear reactors, for solid-state lasers and in microwave components. The city of Stockholm honors it with its name.


Erbium acts as an optical amplifier, meaning it can amplify a light signal without first converting it into an electrical signal. Glasses and crystals doped with erbium are used as glass fibers and as amplifiers in fiber optic communication systems. Erbium lasers are used in dermatology and dentistry, and stronger erbium-ytterbium lasers are also used for cutting and welding metals. Like yttrium, ytterbium and terbium, the name is derived from the site of discovery in Ytterby in Sweden.


Thulium-doped materials enable the production of X-ray intensifying screens and are also found in fluorescent screens for X-ray technology. Thulium compounds are also used in personal dosimeters to measure low doses of radiation. Thulium is named after the mythical island of Thule.


Ytterbium improves the mechanical properties of stainless steel. In alloys with other metals, it forms high-quality permanent magnets. Otherwise, its technical significance is rather low. Like yttrium, terbium and erbium, it is named after the place where it was found, Ytterby in Sweden.


Lutetium is used in positron emission tomography. It can also be used as a catalyst in the cracking of petroleum. Lutetium is named after the ancient city of Lutetia, from which modern-day Paris developed.


They are found worldwide, but mining them is so expensive and harmful to the environment that most countries are dependent on exports from China.

As soon as one of them has become established on the market, part of the increasing demand can be met from previously unrecyclable waste. In order to be able to recycle electronic waste directly in Europe in the future, it is necessary to invest as quickly as possible in the development of market-ready systems. In addition, it can make sense to store valuable scrap, such as magnets from wind turbines and vehicles, in Europe until it can be profitably dismantled here.

Biotechnological processes have been developed to exploit European ore deposits. The transfer of these methods to a new European mining industry offers long-term investment opportunities.