Rare earth elements—seventeen discreet metals integral to wind turbines, electric vehicles, smartphones, and computer screens—have become essential to modern technology. Renowned for their unique magnetic, catalytic, optical, and chemical properties, these metals are driving a global “gold rush.” Global production of rare earths has grown significantly, with neodymium demand—crucial for decarbonization technologies—doubling over the past decade.
Europe faces a pressing challenge: national sovereignty over rare earths. France, like most of Europe, has few exploitable deposits—the continent relies primarily on imports, most of which come from China. Despite holding only 35% of global resources and 44% of estimated reserves, China dominates the market, controlling up to 70% of extraction and 85–95% of refining and processing, making Europe highly dependent on foreign supply chains.
Scientific Insight on Reducing Dependence
To address this, the CNRS Mission for Scientific Expertise conducted a comprehensive study on the responsible use of rare earths. A team of researchers analyzed thousands of scientific publications with additional expert input. Their goal: provide authorities with evidence-based strategies to reduce reliance on imported rare earths essential to industry and daily life.
Sovereignty and Strategic Initiatives
European policymakers are pursuing diversified supply chains and the relocation of mining operations to the continent. Initiatives such as the Critical Raw Materials (CRM) Act and the RESourceEU plan aim to strengthen Europe’s control over these essential materials. France has also established an interministerial delegation for strategic minerals and a national observatory of industrial mineral resources.
Clément Levard, CNRS research professor and co-author of the assessment, emphasizes:
“The goal is to explore all levers available to reduce our dependence on external supplies.”
Technology and Substitution Limits
Technological innovations have helped reduce rare earth consumption in some areas. For example, optimizing electric vehicle motors has lowered the amount of neodymium used in permanent magnets. However, such substitutions often shift dependence to other critical materials, like lithium, cobalt, and manganese, particularly in Li-ion batteries replacing NiMH systems. In some technologies, such as fiber optics, rare earths are irreplaceable due to their unique properties.
Recycling: Europe’s Industrial Opportunity
Given the scarcity of domestic deposits, Europe is increasingly focusing on recycling rare earths. According to Romain Garcier, co-author and senior lecturer, recycling is “the main lever for local supply.” The RESourceEU plan encourages reusing and recycling critical materials in European products.
Despite its potential, recycling remains limited: less than 1% of rare earths are recycled worldwide. Urban mining initiatives, such as Grenoble-based MagREEsource, are emerging, but challenges persist. Rare earths are dispersed across small technologies—it takes two million smartphones to match the rare earth content of a single offshore wind turbine—making collection difficult. Secondary sources, like industrial bauxite residues and coal ash, offer promise; one European study estimates 270,000 tonnes of extractable metals, representing a significant share of global production. In the US, coal ash contains millions of tonnes of rare earths, nearly eight times known national reserves.
Social and Environmental Considerations
Returning mining operations to Europe raises social and environmental concerns. Pascale Ricard, CNRS researcher and co-author, warns that the CRM Act “prioritizes supply and relocation over environmental and democratic principles.” Reopening mines requires public consent and democratic debate, as seen in protests over lithium projects in France.
The deep seabed offers another potential source. France’s maritime domain spans over 10 million km², and rare earth-rich polymetallic nodules may exist in overseas territories. However, environmental risks and potential moratoriums pose major obstacles.
The Path Forward
Given these constraints, France and Europe cannot eliminate rare earth imports in the short term. Clément Levard notes:
“Moderation in use, combined with recycling and alternative production methods, is essential for securing national supplies.”
For the foreseeable future, rare earths will continue to shape technological innovation, industrial strategy, and national sovereignty in Europe. A balanced approach, combining reduction, recycling, and responsible production, is key to maintaining both competitiveness and environmental stewardship.
