The most common application for neodymium, which is also fuelling global demand, is permanent magnets for applications such as electric motors, wind turbines, nuclear magnetic resonance tomographs, military technology and consumer electronics. NdFeB magnets can permanently carry hundreds to thousands of times their own weight, enable high performance with low mass and are around 40 per cent stronger than samarium-cobalt magnets of the same size. Neodymium is also in demand as an additive for alloys. Other areas of application include the glass industry, ceramic materials, catalysts in rubber production, phosphors, car exhaust catalysts and neodymium:YAG lasers, which are widely used in industry and medicine.
