AERC Recycling Partners with Firm to Recover Rare Earth Metals (with video)

AERC Recycling Solutions has partnered with Global Tungsten & Powders Corp. (GTP) for the recovery of rare earth metals from spent fluorescent lamps.

The Allentown, Pa.-based AERC said in a news release it is joining with Towanda, Pa.-based GTP to identify new sources of rare earth metals and create a recovery process to use the materials in new products. AERC said the partnership will help address demand for the materials by extracting them from recycled fluorescent lamps.

China produces 95 percent of all rare earth metals, and the country has limited their export. The metals are needed in the production of new electronics, lithium car batteries, military defense components and wind turbines, according to the release.