An introduction to europium

Europium demand and end-uses

Europium is a critical rare earth element primarily used in phosphorescent and luminescent applications. It plays a vital role in high-tech industries, especially in energy-efficient lighting, display technologies, and security applications.

One of europium’s most significant uses is in red and blue phosphors, which are essential in light-emitting diodes (LEDs), compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), and television or computer screens. Europium-doped phosphors enhance the clarity and brightness of display panels in liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and organic light-emitting diode (OLED) screens, ensuring vibrant colour reproduction.

Beyond consumer electronics, europium is widely used in anti-counterfeiting and security applications. It is a key component in euro banknotes and other global currencies, where europium-based phosphors enable UV fluorescence features that help detect counterfeit notes. Similarly, europium phosphors are employed in high-security documents, passports, and credit cards.

In the nuclear sector, europium functions as a neutron absorber in control rods for nuclear reactors. Due to its strong neutron capture properties, europium stabilises fission reactions and enhances the safety of nuclear power plants.

Europium’s luminescent properties also contribute to medical imaging and diagnostics, where it is used in X-ray intensifying screens and phosphor-based contrast agents for advanced imaging techniques.

Additionally, europium-doped materials are investigated for potential uses in quantum computing, solid-state lasers, and emerging photonic technologies due to their unique optical and electronic properties.

While europium’s market demand is lower than that of neodymium or dysprosium, its role in lighting, displays, and security applications makes it an irreplaceable element in modern technology. As the world moves towards more advanced electronic displays, sustainable energy solutions, and enhanced security measures, europium demand is expected to remain stable, particularly in high-purity applications.

Europium supply

Europium, a light rare earth element (LREE), is primarily obtained as a byproduct of cerium and other rare earth element (REE) extraction. It is predominantly sourced from monazite and bastnäsite, two of the most significant rare earth-bearing minerals. These minerals are primarily mined in China, the United States, Australia, Russia, India, Brazil, Vietnam, and Canada, making europium supply closely tied to the global rare earth mining industry.

Other mineral sources containing europium include xenotime, loparite, allanite, aeschynite, parisite, synchysite, and eudialyte. However, europium’s natural abundance in these minerals is much lower compared to cerium or lanthanum, making its extraction more complex and dependent on the overall rare earth element refining process.