Recycling of rare earths from fluorescent lamps: Value analysis of closing-the-loop under demand and supply uncertainties

TY - JOUR

T1 - Recycling of rare earths from fluorescent lamps

T2 - Value analysis of closing-the-loop under demand and supply uncertainties

AU - Machacek, Erika

AU - Richter, Jessika Luth

AU - Habib, Komal

AU - Klossek, Polina

PY - 2015/11/1

Y1 - 2015/11/1

N2 - Rare earth element (REE) recycling remains low at 1%, despite significant uncertainties related to future supply and demand and EU 2020 energy efficiency objectives. We use a global production network framework of REE flows from mine to REE phosphors in energy-efficient lamps to illustrate the potential of closed-loop recycling for secondary supply under different scenarios of primary supply and forecasted demand for LEDs, CFLs and LFLs. We find that different End-of-Life Recycling Rate scenarios for REE secondary supply range between meeting forecasted REE demand and filling primary supply gaps, and competing with primary supply. Our argument centres on diversifying REE sourcing with recycling and the choice between primary and secondary supply. We stress that secondary REE phosphor supply requires further policy support for lamp collection and a discussion of the value of REE phosphor recycling which underlies its economic feasibility.

AB - Rare earth element (REE) recycling remains low at 1%, despite significant uncertainties related to future supply and demand and EU 2020 energy efficiency objectives. We use a global production network framework of REE flows from mine to REE phosphors in energy-efficient lamps to illustrate the potential of closed-loop recycling for secondary supply under different scenarios of primary supply and forecasted demand for LEDs, CFLs and LFLs. We find that different End-of-Life Recycling Rate scenarios for REE secondary supply range between meeting forecasted REE demand and filling primary supply gaps, and competing with primary supply. Our argument centres on diversifying REE sourcing with recycling and the choice between primary and secondary supply. We stress that secondary REE phosphor supply requires further policy support for lamp collection and a discussion of the value of REE phosphor recycling which underlies its economic feasibility.

U2 - 10.1016/j.resconrec.2015.09.005

DO - 10.1016/j.resconrec.2015.09.005

M3 - Journal article

SN - 0921-3449

VL - 104

SP - 76

EP - 93

JO - Resources, Conservation and Recycling

JF - Resources, Conservation and Recycling

ER -