Home>Metal Events>9th International Rare Earth Summit

Sponsored by Northern Minerals, the 9th International Rare Earth Summit was held by Asian Metal in Shanghai during May 11-12, 2017. Topics of this summit include Rare Earth Project Introduction, Analysis of Rare Earth Demand in Europe, United States, Japan and Australia, Development of Permanent Magnet Market, Rare Earth Hydrogen Storage Alloy Market and Other Downstream Markets, and Comprehensive Recycling and Application of Scandium Resources. The meeting enjoyed wide support from insiders with nearly 150 attendees from home and abroad.

The meeting officially began at 8:50am on May 12. Firstly, Zhao Hao, assistant president of Asian Metal, made an opening speech. As an organizer, Mr. Zhao made a warm welcoming speech and gave a brief introduction of Asian Metal and main programs of the summit. Zhong Zhenchen, counselor of State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission Institute of Rare Earth Magnetic, Material and Device and professor of JXUST, made a report in English on Industrial Development of "Rare Earth Kingdom" and Construction of "Rare Metals Valley" in China. Mr. Zhong disclosed that Ganzhou Rare Earth Metals Valley is to create a high-tech industry cluster district of rare earths and rare metals in China by gathering factors of industry, R&D, talents, finance, information, etc. Afterwards, Nick Kotaki, managing director of Material Trading Company Ltd., explained the changes in market demand and imports in Japan through concise charts, pointing out that although Japan still relies on rare earth imports from China, it is slowly expanding the supply chain, recycling and reusing rare earth materials and looking for alternatives to alleviate the dependence. Later, George Bauk, executive director and CEO of Northern Minerals Limited, gave an introduction to the Brown Range Project, which is designed to provide rare earth metals (dysprosium, terbium, neodymium, praseodymium), lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite and other strategic metals on the global market. Mr. Bauk introduced the progress of the project and reserves of the mine. Their company has inked cooperation agreements with Sionsteel MECC, Rising Jianfa and MACA limited, and made the final investment decision in April. In addition, their company will commence equipment installation in September. Finally, he gave an introduction to John Galt and Boudle Rigde rare earth projects.

After the tea break, Yi Haibo, production manager of Baotou Tianhe Magnet Co., Ltd., gave a brief introduction to the application of rare earth permanent magnets and explained the application of rare earth permanent magnets in automotive parts, electric and hybrid vehicles, wind power generation, air condition compressors, electric bicycles, robots and maglev trains in detail. He also pointed out that the NdFeB industry will develop towards the direction of small integration, cost optimization, high stability and consistency. After explaining the main raw materials and production methods for scandium oxide, Mr. Zhan emphatically introduced the application of scandium in solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), MIG -29 fighter and empennage of guided missile, scandium-contained light source materials, high-end sports equipment, aluminum alloy material for reentry capsule of spacecraft, scandium-contained targets, scandium-contained aluminum alloy conducting wire, scandium-contained aluminum alloy welding wire, and 3D printing, calling for scandium enterprises to unite to survive downturn, reduce production cost, foster downstream market and link resources development with the capital market.

In the afternoon, Melvin Hill, manager of GE Chaplin Inc., gave a report titled American Rare Earth Market and Trump's Economic Effects. He mentioned that the rare earth demand from the United States was around 16,000t in 2016, of which nearly 90% was lanthanum oxide, and the United States imports approximately 900tpy of the material from China at the moment. Furthermore, he noted that Trump’s economic policies contribute to the return of American economic nationalism and rare earth will become more important with the recovery of the manufacturing sector. Afterwards, Chen Yonggang, research, production and marketing vice-director for Hydrogen Storage & lithium of Xiamen Tungsten Co., Ltd., made a report titled Review on 2016 Rare Earth Hydrogen Storage Alloy Market and Outlook for 2017. Mr. Chen explained the status quo and future trend for rare earth hydrogen-storage alloy industry as well as rare earth hydrogen-storage alloy for vehicles, pointing out the challenges and future trends of the industry.

After the tea break, Niels Hachmann, manager of Thyssenkrupp Raw Materials GmbH Metallurgical department, made a report titled European Rare Earth Market Outlook & Rainbow Rare Earth Project Introduction. He disclosed that rare earth consumption in Europe, which was around 4,300t in 2016, still shows an upward trend currently and is expected to reach around 7,000t in 2025. In addition, he also introduced the capacity, rare earth elements and element distribution of the Rainbow project in detail. Finally, Ju Guoxian, chief analyst of Guangfa Securities, made a speech on Rare Earth and Capital Market. Mr. Ju believed that the supply-side reform is imminent and demand is the decisive factor affecting the future market development. He also expressed his opinions on how rare earth enterprises can make full use of the capital market.

The 9th International Rare Earth Summit ended successfully at around 4:30pm, May 12，with the support from sponsor, supporters and participants.

After the closing ceremony, Asian Metal held a symposium with scandium enterprises, including Hunan Oriental Scandium, Jiangxi Kingan Hi-tech, Huizhou Top Metal Material, Xiande Shanghai Technology Development, Guangxi Maoxin, Shandong Guangyin DKK Enviromental Science and Technology, Daiichi Kigenso Kagaku Kogyo and Polirit. Representatives expressed their views on the healthy and steady development of scandium industry actively.

In recent years, Asian Metal has successfully held rare earth forum or summit in the United States and China for many times and likes to take this opportunity to express our sincere appreciation of the support and cooperation of insiders. Asian Metal will continue to make persistent efforts to provide timely and accurate metal market information and is looking forward to seeing you at the next rare earth summit.