An introduction to lanthanum

Lanthanum demand and end-uses

Lanthanum, a critical rare earth element, plays a vital role across diverse industries due to its unique properties, driving consistent demand. It is crucial in nickel-metal hydride batteries for hybrid electric vehicles, and portable electronics, serves as a catalyst in oil refining and styrene production, and enhances optical glasses for cameras and telescopes with superior clarity and low aberrations.

In ceramics, lanthanum improves dielectric properties in conductive ceramics (electronics), while in lighting (phosphors e.g. compact fluorescent lamps and LAP), it contributes to natural spectrum fluorescent lamps.

Its application in water treatment processes removes contaminants to prevent algal blooms, and in medicine, lanthanum carbonate reduces phosphate levels in patients with chronic kidney disease.

In the military, lanthanum is critical in radar and sonar transducers, radiation detection, and chemical detection by amplifying signal resolutions.

Additionally, lanthanum is incorporated into steel and metal alloys to enhance their malleability, corrosion resistance, and high-temperature strength, finding alloy applications in the aerospace and automotive industries.

Other minor uses include lanthanum as a glass additive, ignition elements, projector lamps and studio lights using carbon arc lamps, scintillators (lanthanum halide, lanthanum bromide and lanthanum chloride), and enhances welding capabilities using lanthanated tungsten electrodes for welding steel and stainless steel.

Research has discovered new applications for lanthanum in hydrogen storage, advanced materials, renewable energy (photovoltaic cells) and energy storage. 

Lanthanum supply

Lanthanum is predominantly extracted from monazite and bastnäsite ores, which are rich in rare earth elements. These minerals, found in heavy mineral sands, are mined for lanthanum alongside other rare earths. Lanthanum sources also include ion-adsorption clays, particularly in Southern China, known for their heavy rare earth elements content.

The global supply of lanthanum is primarily dominated by China, with significant deposits and a well-established rare earth mining industry. Other notable sources are located in the United States, Australia, India, Brazil, Russia, and some African countries such as Burundi, Tanzania, Malawi, Madagascar, Nambia and South Africa.

Recycling of products like nickel-metal hydride batteries also contributes to lanthanum supply, albeit to a lesser extent compared to primary mining. Efforts to diversify the supply chain are ongoing, with investments in exploration and development outside China to reduce reliance on a single source.