Future Processing and Recycling Strategies for Rare Earths

The annual demand on rare earth materials still increases for many applications. The present study focusses on recycling technologies of rare earth compound out and for luminescence materials at different light spectra. The purity specification allows only impurities in ppm‐range. A case study based on experimental and literature data is described. Different processing concepts are generated and optimized by process modeling. Finally, a cost calculation and sensitivity analysis point out the potential for a combined processing concept of chromatographic and reactive liquid‐liquid extraction processes. Main cost drivers are indicated. Technological realization limits are included in this study.