When Were Rare Earths First Commercialised?

The first commercial application of rare earths took place in Vienna, Austria in the 1890s with the development and production of gas mantles. The first mantles were a mix of 60% MgO/20%La₂O₃/20%Y₂O₃; later changed to 99%ThO₂/1%CeO₂, which was found to have a brighter and whiter light. These first rare earths were extracted from monazite. During the processing of the monazite, the ‘surplus’ cerium sulphate was stockpiled for which there appeared no use at the time.

Carl Auer von Welsbach, a chemical engineer working in Vienna at the time, recalled that during his time at Bunsen’s laboratory, a few years earlier, cerium metal sparked when the metal was scratched. He recognised that this sparking effect could be used for ignition purposes. Later, he alloyed the metal with iron for lighter flints, calling the alloy “Auermetal”, which he patented in 1903.

Treibacher Chemische Werke, a company founded by Carl Auer, commenced commercial production of lighter flints at Treibach, near Klagenfurt, in 1908; a business that is still continued by Treibacher Industrie at the same site. Today, Treibacher produces about 1½ billion mischmetal lighter flints per year; which represents 15-20% of global demand/supply. The scientists and engineers who followed Carl Auer at Treibacher have continued the development and production of rare earth alloys and chemicals; such that the company is one of the few enterprises outside China to possess this expertise and capability.

In 2008, Austria is celebrating the 150th anniversary of the birth of Carl Auer and the centenary of the first commercial scale production of rare earth metal products.