A Japanese research team has uncovered large reserves of rare earths in the floor of the Pacific Ocean in a discovery that could have large implications for the supply chain in the lighting industry.
Until now the messy business of mining the mineral deposits, which include the phosphors that are incorporated into fluorescent lamps and LED chips, has been left to the Chinese, but alarm bells rang late last year when the Asian superpower started restricting exports to Japan and the USA. The Chinese government claimed that it made the move to clean up its mining procedures but it was also interpreted as being motivated by a desire to boost its own manufacturing base. . .View full article
REE Discovery Good News for Fluorescents
Source: Lighting News, Ben Cronin (7/21/11)
"Japan's ocean-floor discovery could have large implications for the lighting industry's supply chain."
Lighting News, Ben Cronin