New Toshiba Motor Uses U.S. REE; Avoids China-Sourced Minerals

Market Watch reported that a new powerful motor developed by Toshiba will avoid using rare earth minerals sourced from China, in an attempt by the Japanese to reduce their dependance on China’s supply of the minerals.

As quoted in the report:

While dysprosium is mostly found in China, the new Toshiba motor substitutes a different rare-earth metal — samarium — which abounds in Australia and the U.S., the report said. Japan and China have clashed over rare earths, notably in late 2010, when China briefly halted rare-earth shipments to Japan. The Nikkei report said Toshiba hopes to begin selling the new engine, which can be used in cars, trains and industrial machinery, by next March.

Click here to read the full Market Watch report.