EuChemS is set to organise an event on 14 May 2025, focusing on the critical role of Rare Earth Elements (REE) in modern technology. This event is part of a series that highlights the significance of individual chemical elements based on the EuChemS Periodic Table, which sheds light on element availability, sustainability, and their crucial role in today’s world.
Rare Earth Elements are essential materials in a wide range of high-tech applications. They are composed of 17 elements, including scandium, yttrium, and the 15 lanthanoids, such as lanthanum, cerium, and neodymium. While they are more abundant than their name suggests, REE are primarily sourced from a limited number of economically viable locations, most of which are outside the EU. As a result, these materials have been classified among the EU’s top critical raw materials, and their supply and sustainable use are becoming increasingly urgent concerns.
These elements are integral to numerous devices that shape our daily lives, including smartphones, televisions, computers, lasers, magnets, batteries, and even energy-efficient lighting. Their applications in optical devices, propulsion motors, and catalysts are also vital for advancing technologies, particularly those related to energy conversion and environmental sustainability.
The purpose of this EuChemS event is to address key questions surrounding REE, including their environmental impact, geopolitical considerations, and potential for improving recycling practices within the circular economy. Experts will also explore the future of REE in applications such as energy transition, optical technologies, and catalysis.
Further details, including a registration link, will be shared soon. Don’t miss the opportunity to participate in this crucial discussion on the future of rare earth elements and their impact on our technological landscape.
