The areas of application for yttrium are wide-ranging. As an additive, the element improves the properties of alloys. Lasers, catalytic converters, spark plugs, car exhaust catalytic converters and fluorescent lamps are further fields of application. In combination with Zirconium dioxide it is used to produce high-performance ceramics which, due to their heat resistance and mechanical strength, are required for hydrogen fuel cells, in medical technology and for coating aircraft engines, among other things.