Cerium

Cerium is a soft, silvery metal and the most abundant of the rare earth elements. It is typically extracted from minerals such as bastnaesite and monazite. The leading producers of cerium are China, the United States, and Australia. Cerium is used primarily in the glass and automotive industries, where it serves as a polishing agent and a catalyst in catalytic converters. In foundries, cerium is primarily used as an alloying element or additive in castings due to its beneficial effects which include improving the quality, strength, and durability of metals.

Sub-Category	Abbreviation	Core Content Range	Size Range
Cerium Mixed Metal	Ce-MM	Ce 47-100%	0-286 mm

Please note that the above listed sub-categories including its core content and size ranges are just a snapshot of Metalshub’s currently traded raw materials. We are adding new sub-categories on a monthly basis and would be happy to assess your specific requirements to this category.

Metalshub provides producers and consumers of cerium with a software solution to improve the way they buy or sell it. Our software connects over 2,000 companies in a joint trading network. This allows sellers to discover new buyers of cerium and buyers to discover new suppliers of cerium.

For buyers, Metalshub’s Procurement Solution allows steel mills, foundries, and other consumers to digitalise their procurement process in order to increase sourcing efficiency, ensure compliant buying, and take data-driven decisions. For sellers, Metalshub’s Sales Solution allows miners, traders, and other sellers to digitalise their sales process, manage inventory, and optimise their sales book.

Prices for cerium are provided by several key platforms that track rare earth metals:

1. Argus Metals: Argus provides journalistic cerium price assessments, particularly focusing on regions such as China, where cerium oxide prices are actively tracked​ (Argus Media).
2. Shanghai Metals Market (SMM): SMM offers journalistic updates on cerium prices, alongside other rare earth metals like lanthanum and praseodymium. Their data is particularly relevant for Chinese and global markets​ (Shanghai Metals Market).
3. Fastmarkets: Fastmarkets covers rare earth markets, including cerium, providing journalistic price data, forecasts, and market analysis (Fastmarkets).

Beyond these three examples, other providers may also provide prices.

The top cerium-producing countries are:

• China – ~60% of global cerium production, dominating the rare earth market.
• United States – ~10%, with mining operations focused on rare earth elements.
• Australia – ~8%, producing cerium as part of its rare earth extraction processes.
• Myanmar – ~7%, emerging as a producer of cerium.
• India – ~6%, with growing rare earth production capabilities.

Some of the key producers of cerium include:

• China Northern Rare Earth Group (China) – ~30% of global production, a leader in rare earth elements
• Lynas Corporation (Australia) – ~<10%, a major supplier of rare earth elements, including cerium
• MP Materials (USA) – ~<10%, focused on mining rare earths, including cerium, in California
• Arafura Resources (Australia) – ~5%, contributing to rare earth production in the global market
• Indian Rare Earths Limited (India) – ~5%, a key player in cerium production in India

Cerium is typically extracted from minerals such as bastnaesite and monazite, which are mined from the earth’s crust. The minerals undergo chemical processing to extract rare earth oxides, including cerium. Cerium oxide is used in a variety of industrial applications, while cerium metal is produced for use in advanced materials.

Cerium is primarily used in the automotive industry (~40%) as a key component in catalytic converters. It is also used in glass polishing (~30%) and in the production of specialised alloys (~10%). Cerium oxide is vital in reducing emissions in vehicles, while its use in glass polishing enhances the quality of optical products.