Cerium (Ce) is a rare earth element (REE) that plays a significant role in various industrial applications. It is commonly used in catalytic converters for automobiles, as well as in the production of glass, phosphors, and rechargeable batteries. Cerium is known for its ability to efficiently catalyze oxidation reactions and its role in the manufacturing of high-performance materials. As part of the lanthanide series, cerium is one of the most abundant rare earth elements, although it is still considered a critical material due to its specialized uses in advanced technologies.

Recycling

Cerium constitutes a significant portion of the global rare earth market, though it’s often not the largest individual element by volume (that distinction usually goes to lanthanum and neodymium). Leaching and solvent extraction are the dominant methods for cerium recovery from various waste streams, especially in countries like China and USA, where cerium is used in industries such as catalysts, electronics, and glass production. The market share represents the relative amount of cerium extracted and processed using these methods, but the figures are rough estimates since the actual market share can fluctuate based on factors like demand for catalysts, phosphors, and metallurgy applications.

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) contains significant amounts of rare earth elements (REEs), such as cerium, neodymium, dysprosium, and europium, which are used in the production of components like magnets, catalysts, phosphors, and batteries. As technology advances, the demand for REEs in devices like smartphones, computers, electric vehicles (EVs), and LED lighting increases, making WEEE a valuable secondary source of these critical materials.

WEEE can contain up to 50 times the concentration of rare earth elements found in natural ores, making it a rich, yet underutilized, resource for recycling. The main REE sources in WEEE include hard disk drives, motors, batteries, cathode ray tubes, and flat-panel displays. Recycling WEEE is essential for reducing the environmental impact of mining and meeting the growing demand for REEs in various high-tech and green technologies.

Efforts to extract and recycle REEs from WEEE are expanding, with methods such as leaching, solvent extraction, and ion exchange gaining traction in the recycling industry. The increasing focus on circular economy practices emphasizes WEEE recycling as a sustainable source of rare earth materials, ensuring a more secure and eco-friendly supply chain.

During the mechanical separation of e-waste, rare earth elements (REEs), including cerium, neodymium, and others, can be lost in the form of dust. This occurs when materials like printed circuit boards (PCBs), magnets, and other components are shredded, crushed, or ground. The fine dust generated during these processes often contains small, dispersed particles of valuable REEs, which can be difficult to recover.

These losses pose a challenge for recycling efforts, as they represent a significant portion of the valuable REE content in e-waste. Advanced methods, such as vacuum collection and dust filtration systems, are increasingly being implemented to reduce such losses and improve the efficiency of REE recovery from e-waste. Proper management of these losses is crucial for maximizing the recycling of REEs and reducing environmental impacts associated with mining and processing virgin materials.

Applications trends

The price per kg increases as cerium purity rises, reflecting its use in more specialized and high-demand industries, such as electronics, aerospace, and advanced catalysis. The projected market sizes for 2025 and 2040 suggest significant growth, especially in sectors like automotive, lighting, and advanced technology.

The transformation of cerium droppings into semi-crystals enhances their properties, making them valuable in a wide range of industries. The increased catalytic efficiency, thermal stability, and surface area of these forms allow cerium to play a pivotal role in applications like catalysts, batteries, phosphors, and glass manufacturing. As demand for rare earth elements rises, cerium-based semi-crystals offer significant advantages in terms of performance and sustainability.

Cerium deep purification

Cerium mining