Rare earth elements are a group of seventeenchemical elements that occur together in the periodic table. The group consists of yttrium, scandium, and fifteen lanthanide elements (lanthanum, cerium, thulium, ytterbium, praseodymium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, neodymium, promethium, samarium, europium, holmium, erbium, and lutetium). The seventeen rare earth elements are found in all rare earth elements deposits; however, their distribution and concentration varies. These elements are referred as ‘rare,’ as it is not common to find them in commercially feasible concentrations. Rare earth elements are broadly classified into two categories: light rare earth elements and heavy rare earth elements.These have varying levels of uses and demand. Mineral deposits of rare earth elements are usually rich in either light rare earth elements or heavy rare earth elements; they rarely contain both in significant quantities. Among rare earth elements, demand for lanthanum and cerium is the largest in the world. Rare earth elements are classified based on various properties such as catalytic, magnetic, electrical, chemical, and optical. Thus, rare earth elements,often referred as ‘seeds of technology’ by the Japanese, exhibit multiple properties. This makes make them suitable for usage in a wide range of end-user industries.

The permanent magnet industryisthe largest end-user industryfor rare earth elements. Lanthanum and cerium are used in the manufacture of catalytic converters. Thesehelp convert the pollutants in engine exhaust systeminto non-toxic compounds. Rechargeable batteries made from neodymium, lanthanum, cerium, and praseodymium (combined with manganese, nickel, cobalt and/or aluminum) are used in car batteries in hybrid electric vehicles, electronic devices, and power tools.Lanthanum and cerium are used in the manufacture of catalytic converters, which convert pollutants in engine exhaust systeminto non-toxic compounds. Electric and hybrid cars can contain rare earths compounds which areworth many dollars, which is double that found in a standard gasoline vehicle.The manufacturing of battery involves use of rare earth compounds. Rare earth elements are also used in regenerative braking systems and electric traction motors. These motors consist of powerful magnets made from neodymium and dysprosium. Europium, terbium, and yttrium are rare earth elementsthat are used widely in the electronics industry to manufacture LCDs and color TVs. Cerium reduces transmission of UV light, while lanthanum increases the glass reflective index for digital camera lenses. Dysprosium, yttrium, neodymium, praseodymium and terbium have the greatest exposure to segments such asrechargeable batteries, phosphors, permanent magnets, and polishing agents. This segments are also the fastest growing segment for rare earth elements. Thus,the wide range of end-user applications is leading to higher usage of rare earth elements across the globe.

The global market for rare earth elements is expected to expand at a healthy rate in next eight years. China is major producer of rare earth elements. The country produces approximately 94% of the global rare earth elements. China is also the leading consumer of rare earth elements in the world; the country accounts for about 60% of global consumption. Though in coming years the monopoly of China in global rare elements market is expected to witness a decline.

Some of the major companies operating in the global rare earth elements market include Arafura Resources, Alkane Resources Ltd., Avalon Rare Metals Inc., Quest Rare Minerals Ltd.,Greenland Minerals and Energy Limited, China Rare Earth Holdings Limited, Lynas Corporation, Great Western Minerals Group Ltd., Rare Element Resources Ltd., Molycorp Inc.,and Frontier Rare Earths Limited.

This study by TMR is all-encompassing framework of the dynamics of the market. It mainly comprises critical assessment of consumers' or customers' journeys, current and emerging avenues, and strategic framework to enable CXOs take effective decisions.

Our key underpinning is the 4-Quadrant Framework EIRS that offers detailed visualization of four elements:

Customer E xperience Maps

xperience Maps I nsights and Tools based on data-driven research

nsights and Tools based on data-driven research Actionable R esults to meet all the business priorities

esults to meet all the business priorities Strategic Frameworks to boost the growth journey

The study strives to evaluate the current and future growth prospects, untapped avenues, factors shaping their revenue potential, and demand and consumption patterns in the global market by breaking it into region-wise assessment.

The following regional segments are covered comprehensively:

North America

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America

The Middle East and Africa

The EIRS quadrant framework in the report sums up our wide spectrum of data-driven research and advisory for CXOs to help them make better decisions for their businesses and stay as leaders.

Below is a snapshot of these quadrants.

1. Customer Experience Map

The study offers an in-depth assessment of various customers’ journeys pertinent to the market and its segments. It offers various customer impressions about the products and service use. The analysis takes a closer look at their pain points and fears across various customer touchpoints. The consultation and business intelligence solutions will help interested stakeholders, including CXOs, define customer experience maps tailored to their needs. This will help them aim at boosting customer engagement with their brands.

2. Insights and Tools

The various insights in the study are based on elaborate cycles of primary and secondary research the analysts engage with during the course of research. The analysts and expert advisors at TMR adopt industry-wide, quantitative customer insights tools and market projection methodologies to arrive at results, which makes them reliable. The study not just offers estimations and projections, but also an uncluttered evaluation of these figures on the market dynamics. These insights merge data-driven research framework with qualitative consultations for business owners, CXOs, policy makers, and investors. The insights will also help their customers overcome their fears.

3. Actionable Results

The findings presented in this study by TMR are an indispensable guide for meeting all business priorities, including mission-critical ones. The results when implemented have shown tangible benefits to business stakeholders and industry entities to boost their performance. The results are tailored to fit the individual strategic framework. The study also illustrates some of the recent case studies on solving various problems by companies they faced in their consolidation journey.

4. Strategic Frameworks

The study equips businesses and anyone interested in the market to frame broad strategic frameworks. This has become more important than ever, given the current uncertainty due to COVID-19. The study deliberates on consultations to overcome various such past disruptions and foresees new ones to boost the preparedness. The frameworks help businesses plan their strategic alignments for recovery from such disruptive trends. Further, analysts at TMR helps you break down the complex scenario and bring resiliency in uncertain times.

The report sheds light on various aspects and answers pertinent questions on the market. Some of the important ones are:

1. What can be the best investment choices for venturing into new product and service lines?

2. What value propositions should businesses aim at while making new research and development funding?

3. Which regulations will be most helpful for stakeholders to boost their supply chain network?

4. Which regions might see the demand maturing in certain segments in near future?

5. What are the some of the best cost optimization strategies with vendors that some well-entrenched players have gained success with?

6. Which are the key perspectives that the C-suite are leveraging to move businesses to new growth trajectory?

7. Which government regulations might challenge the status of key regional markets?

8. How will the emerging political and economic scenario affect opportunities in key growth areas?

9. What are some of the value-grab opportunities in various segments?

10. What will be the barrier to entry for new players in the market?

Note: Although care has been taken to maintain the highest levels of accuracy in TMR’s reports, recent market/vendor-specific changes may take time to reflect in the analysis.