Rare Earths : Understanding and Better Managing Their Life Cycle

Rare earths are strategic metals, essential in many fields such as renewable energy, electric mobility, and healthcare. Their extraction and use pose industrial, environmental, and geopolitical challenges.

To better understand these challenges, the CNRS launched the Collective Scientific Expertise (ESCo) on Rare Earths, bringing together a multidisciplinary team of researchers (geology, chemistry, ecology, sociology, law, etc.). The goal is to provide a comprehensive scientific overview of rare earth use throughout their life cycle, focusing on three main areas : reducing, recycling, and producing differently.

Among the experts involved, Émilie Janots, a geologist at ISTerre (Université Grenoble-Alpes / CNRS / IRD / Université Savoie Mont Blanc), contributed to this expertise, representing our laboratory in this collective project.

This work aims to guide public policies and industrial stakeholders toward a more responsible and sustainable use of these critical metals.