In recent years, under the drive of interests, the United States, Canada, Australia and other countries raised a hot wave of development of rare earth. Japanese companies by speeding up the diversity of purchasing channels and promotion of alternative products, avoid the risk of fluctuations in the price of rare earth, ensure supply. In 2014, the global process of rare earth "sinicization" off may be further accelerated.

Some elements diversified shortage of Japan

In September 2010, before the collision, the diaoyu islands waters between China and Japan Japan close to 90% of the rare earth supply demand depends on China. Subsequently, China with foreign brand, cut rare earth exports to Japan, become push Japan's rare earth diversification opportunities. In 2012, Japan for China's rare earth dependence dropped to 56%.

The fall of 2013, the Japanese trading company sojitz began to import rare earths from Australia, Toyota tsusho also plans to produce rare earths in India since 2014. However, the current data test shows that the quality of these rare earth source obviously lower than China.

Japan's diversification strategy cannot meet part of the rare earth elements of the shortage. After the collision, the Japanese from all over the world to find alternative channels of China's purchasing mainly for light rare earth class, and heavy rare earth still rely on China. As a representative of the heavy rare earth class of dysprosium, usually is used in hybrid and electric vehicles on the high performance magnet. Although it is possible through technical innovation, reduce the use amount of each car, the inevitable developing trend of new energy vehicles will be difficult to reduce the use of the element.

2014 rare earth joint bill us lawmakers from both parties

Early February, the United States senator Roy blunt (Missouri) and Joe manchin (West Virginia) put forward the "2014 national rare earth cooperation act", in order to reduce the dependence on China's rare earths, encourage the private sector employment and innovation, and maintain America's military technological advantages.

Contribute to the cause of the legislation is the senators think China almost monopolized the world rare earth market, it will help the U.S. economy environment and adversely affect national security. Due to the rare earths are widely used in military and high-tech electronic products, legislation will encourage domestic production for rare earth products in the field of the two. While ensure stable economic development to promote employment, to protect national security.

It is understood that bipartisan national rare earth method will promote the joint production and marketing of rare earth industry. Private rare earth suppliers and end users will be hoping to establishing rare earth smelting cooperatives in the United States.

While Japan's rare earth strategy did not shake China's rare earth's place in the world, in recent years indicates some weakness of rare earth industry are changing. In July 2012, baotou rare earth carbonate price 68000 yuan/ton, in July 2013, fell to 27000 yuan/ton; In November 2013, neodymium oxide prices fell almost 25% from two years ago, to 320000 yuan/ton.

There is no doubt that China's rare earth is influenced by both at home and abroad at the same time. In the outside, the contradiction between demand and capacity exacerbated the market is sluggish, technological advances reduced the consumption of rare earth strength; Shock, black rare earth industry chain continuously, overruns, unplanned production accounting for 50% of the total. In 2014, China's rare earth will face more severe challenges.