Neodymium oxide (Nd₂O₃) has important applications in green technology, mainly in the following aspects:
1. Green materials field
High-performance magnetic materials: Neodymium oxide is a key raw material for manufacturing high-performance NdFeB permanent magnet materials. NdFeB permanent magnet materials have the advantages of high magnetic energy product and high coercivity, and are widely used in electric vehicles, wind power generation, electronic equipment and other fields. These permanent magnet materials have played an important role in improving energy efficiency and reducing energy consumption, and are one of the key materials for green energy technology.
Green tires: Neodymium oxide is used to manufacture neodymium-based butadiene rubber, which has super wear resistance and low rolling resistance and can be used to produce "green tires". The use of such tires can reduce the fuel consumption and exhaust emissions of automobiles, while improving the safety and durability of tires.
2. Environmental protection applications
Automobile exhaust purification: Neodymium oxide can be used to manufacture automobile exhaust purification catalysts. Rare earth elements in catalysts can effectively reduce the emission of harmful substances (such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons) in exhaust gas, thereby reducing pollution to the environment.
Renewable energy: In the fields of wind power generation and solar power generation, high-performance permanent magnet materials made of neodymium oxide are used in generators and motors, which improves energy conversion efficiency and promotes the widespread application of renewable energy.
3. Green preparation technology
NdFeB waste recycling method: This is a green and environmentally friendly method for preparing neodymium oxide. Neodymium oxide is recovered from neodymium iron boron waste through processes such as cleaning, filtration, precipitation, heating and purification. This method not only reduces the mining of primary ore, but also reduces energy consumption and environmental pollution in the production process.
Sol-gel method: This preparation method can synthesize high-purity neodymium oxide at a lower temperature, reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions caused by high-temperature roasting.
4. Other green applications
Ceramic and glass coloring: Neodymium oxide can be used to make ceramic and glass colorants to produce green ceramic and glass products with high artistic value. These materials are widely used in the fields of construction and decoration, and the production process is relatively environmentally friendly.
Laser materials: Neodymium oxide can be used to manufacture laser materials, which are widely used in medical, industrial processing and other fields and are environmentally friendly.
Market dynamics and price trends of neodymium oxide
Market dynamics
Supply:
Domestic production growth: Driven by market demand, most domestic praseodymium-neodymium oxide enterprises have increased their operating rates, and some enterprises are operating at full capacity. In February 2025, the output of praseodymium-neodymium oxide increased by more than 7% month-on-month. It is estimated that in 2025, the output of my country's praseodymium-neodymium oxide industry will increase by 20,000-30,000 tons, and the total output will reach 120,000-140,000 tons.
Import restrictions: From October to December 2024, due to the closure of Myanmar's civil war, the amount of rare earths imported from Myanmar continued to decline, and the tight supply of imported ore has not been alleviated.
Demand:
Driven by emerging fields: As a key raw material for neodymium iron boron permanent magnet materials, praseodymium-neodymium oxide is driven by the development of emerging fields such as humanoid robots and AI, and its application demand continues to be released.
Downstream industry demand is acceptable: Judging from the situation in February 2025, although magnetic material companies normally stop production during the Spring Festival holiday, they will increase the operating rate after the New Year, mainly focusing on rushing to deliver goods. Although there is purchase and stocking before the New Year, the quantity is limited, and there is still a demand for purchase after the New Year.
Policy environment: As industry regulatory policies become stricter, backward production capacity of praseodymium-neodymium oxide is gradually cleared, and the market continues to gather towards companies with advantages in technology and scale. In the future, the market concentration of praseodymium-neodymium oxide is expected to further increase
Price trend
Recent price: On March 25, 2025, the benchmark price of neodymium oxide in Sino-Foreign Exchange was RMB 472,500/ton; on March 21, 2025, Shanghai Nonferrous Network showed that the price range of neodymium oxide was RMB 454,000-460,000/ton, with an average price of RMB 457,000/ton.
Price fluctuations:
Rise in 2025: After the Spring Festival in 2025, the price of praseodymium-neodymium oxide soared from RMB 400,000/ton before the festival to RMB 460,000/ton, setting a new high in the past three years. In January-February 2025, the average price of neodymium oxide was RMB 429,778/ton, up 4.24% year-on-year.
Fall in 2024: In 2024, the overall price of neodymium oxide showed a fluctuating downward trend. For example, the listed price of neodymium oxide of Northern Rare Earth in March 2024 was RMB 374,000/ton, down 9.49% from February.
Future trend: Judging from the sharp rise in the price of praseodymium-neodymium oxide at the beginning of 2025, the price of neodymium oxide may remain high in the short term. However, in the long run, there are still uncertainties in factors such as the global economic situation, policy adjustments, and market supply and demand, and the price trend needs further observation.
Post time: Mar-14-2025