MINERALS / RARE EARTH ELEMENTS
The 17 Elements Powering the Future
From permanent magnets in EVs to phosphors in displays—rare earth elements are critical to modern technology.
Light REEs (7)
Heavy REEs (8)
Other (Sc, Y)
Transition Metals with REE Properties
21
Sc
Scandium
high
39
Y
Yttrium
high
Light Rare Earth Elements
57
La
Lanthanum
high
58
Ce
Cerium
moderate
59
Pr
Praseodymium
critical
60
Nd
Neodymium
critical
61
Pm
Promethium
moderate
62
Sm
Samarium
high
63
Eu
Europium
high
Heavy Rare Earth Elements
64
Gd
Gadolinium
high
65
Tb
Terbium
critical
66
Dy
Dysprosium
critical
67
Ho
Holmium
moderate
68
Er
Erbium
high
69
Tm
Thulium
moderate
70
Yb
Ytterbium
high
71
Lu
Lutetium
high
Strategic Importance
The most critical elements for the energy transition
Pr
Praseodymium
Critical
Combined with Nd for high-strength permanent magnets in EVs and wind turbines.
Permanent magnetsAircraft engines
Nd
Neodymium
Critical
Essential for NdFeB magnets, the strongest permanent magnets commercially available.
Permanent magnetsEV motors
Tb
Terbium
Critical
Critical for high-performance magnets and phosphor applications.
Green phosphorsPermanent magnets
Dy
Dysprosium
Critical
Critical additive to NdFeB magnets for high-temperature stability in EVs.
Permanent magnetsNuclear reactors
Complete REE Reference
Detailed information on all 17 rare earth elements
| # | Element | Category | Applications | Importance | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | ScScandium | other | Aerospace alloys, Solid oxide fuel cells, Sports equipment | high | increasing |
| 39 | YYttrium | other | Phosphors, Ceramics, Superconductors | high | stable |
| 57 | LaLanthanum | light | Hybrid batteries, Catalysts, Optical glass | high | increasing |
| 58 | CeCerium | light | Catalytic converters, Glass polishing, Fuel cells | moderate | stable |
| 59 | PrPraseodymium | light | Permanent magnets, Aircraft engines, Fiber optics | critical | increasing |
| 60 | NdNeodymium | light | Permanent magnets, EV motors, Wind turbines | critical | increasing |
| 61 | PmPromethium | light | Nuclear batteries, Luminous paint, Thickness gauges | moderate | stable |
| 62 | SmSamarium | light | SmCo magnets, Cancer treatment, Nuclear reactors | high | stable |
| 63 | EuEuropium | light | Red phosphors, Euro banknotes, Compact fluorescent lamps | high | volatile |
| 64 | GdGadolinium | heavy | MRI contrast, Nuclear reactors, Magnetocaloric refrigeration | high | increasing |
| 65 | TbTerbium | heavy | Green phosphors, Permanent magnets, Solid-state devices | critical | increasing |
| 66 | DyDysprosium | heavy | Permanent magnets, Nuclear reactors, Lasers | critical | increasing |
| 67 | HoHolmium | heavy | Magnets, Nuclear reactors, Solid-state lasers | moderate | stable |
| 68 | ErErbium | heavy | Fiber optics, Lasers, Nuclear technology | high | stable |
| 69 | TmThulium | heavy | Portable X-ray devices, Lasers, Superconductors | moderate | stable |
| 70 | YbYtterbium | heavy | Fiber lasers, Metallurgy, Quantum computing | high | increasing |
| 71 | LuLutetium | heavy | PET scans, Catalysts, LED lighting | high | increasing |