Rare earth elements represent one of the most strategic resources for contemporary technological and industrial development. While globally these elements are at the center of complex economic and geopolitical dynamics, in Italy the topic of rare earths is also gaining increasing importance, particularly in relation to the energy transition, industrial competitiveness and environmental sustainability.
In recent years, the debate has progressively shifted from primary extraction to research, recovery and recycling—areas in which the Italian industrial system can express significant expertise and value. In this context, metal analysis and the chemical analysis of materials containing rare earths become key factors for quality control and process optimization.
In the second part of this article, we will see how GNR Analytical Instruments contributes to this field through advanced technologies for industrial metal analysis, supporting companies, laboratories and research centers in material characterization and control.
Rare Earths: What They Are and Why They Are So Important
The term rare earths refers to a group of 17 chemical elements in the periodic table that are widely used in advanced technologies. These metals are now essential for the production of:
- electric motors
- wind turbines
- smartphones
- batteries
- permanent magnets
- and many other high-performance industrial components.
Despite their name, rare earths are not actually rare in nature. Their criticality stems instead from the fact that they are rarely found in high concentrations, are often mixed with each other or with other elements, and require complex and costly extraction and purification processes.
For these reasons, rare earths play an increasingly strategic role in the:
- energy transition
- electric mobility
- and modern industrial production
directly influencing the development of advanced technological supply chains and the competitiveness of industrial systems.
Rare Earths in Italy: Current Situation and Future Potential
From a production perspective, Italy has not historically been a major rare earth extracting country. However, over the years, mineralogical potential and areas of interest have been identified in several parts of the national territory through geological studies and scientific research.
- In Sardinia, for example, deposits of monazite and bastnäsite associated with granitic rocks have been reported.
- In Tuscany, attention has focused on industrial slags and sludges containing elements such as yttrium and cerium.
- Further analytical activities have involved Veneto and Lombardy, where industrial sediments and thermal waters have been studied,
- as well as Trentino-Alto Adige and Piedmont, where mineralizations associated with metamorphic rocks have been identified.
Despite these findings, Italy’s current approach to rare earths is mainly oriented toward research, recovery from industrial waste and by-products, recycling, and chemical analysis of materials containing these elements, rather than toward large-scale direct extraction.
This strategy reflects a choice consistent with the country’s industrial and regulatory context, aiming to enhance technological expertise, environmental sustainability and advanced material control.
The strategic value of rare earths for italian industry
Rare earths are a key factor for Italian industrial competitiveness, particularly in several high value-added strategic sectors.
- In the automotive and electric mobility sector, these elements are essential for the production of high-performance electric motors, traction systems, inverters and magnetic components used in electric and hybrid vehicles—areas in which Italian industry is strongly integrated into European supply chains.
- In the aerospace sector, rare earths are used in high-strength lightweight alloys, actuation systems, sensors and electronic components for aircraft, satellites and space applications, where material reliability and stability are critical requirements.
- A central role is also played in renewable energy, particularly in the production of generators for wind turbines, energy storage systems and energy-efficiency devices—key elements supporting the transition to a more sustainable energy model.
- Finally, in electronics and precision mechanics, rare earths are used in sensors, actuators, optical components, miniaturized magnets and high-precision devices widely employed in industrial automation, robotics and advanced machinery—sectors in which Italy holds internationally recognized expertise.
In this context, the controlled availability of rare earths and, above all, the ability to analyze them accurately throughout the production chain represent a strategic advantage not only for Italy, but for the entire European Union, which aims to strengthen its industrial and technological autonomy by reducing dependence on non-European suppliers.
Rare earth analysis in italian metallurgy
Even in traditional Italian metallurgy, rare earths are used in concrete and well-established applications. A significant example is the analysis of cast irons, where elements such as cerium (Ce) and lanthanum (La) are used as process additives.
These elements:
– promote spheroidal graphite nodulization;
– support neutralization processes;
– help improve the mechanical properties of specific types of cast iron.
Accurate control of these elements is essential in the production of automotive components, industrial machinery parts, valves, pump bodies and components for the energy sector—industries in which Italy has a strong manufacturing tradition.
Rare earths are also central to advanced magnesium alloys, where yttrium, gadolinium and neodymium are used as primary alloying elements to improve strength, thermal stability and fatigue behavior. These alloys are applied in lightweight structural components for automotive, aerospace and high-performance mechanical applications.
Finally, in certain high-performance aluminum alloys, scandium is used to increase strength, stiffness and weldability. Beyond bicycle frames, these materials are employed in aerospace structures, motorsport, drones and advanced sporting applications.
How rare earths are analyzed in industrial environments: techniques and tools
In the Italian industrial context, rare earth analysis is mainly focused on the chemical control of metals and alloys rather than on academic material studies. For this reason, the reference technique is optical emission spectrometry (OES).
OES enables direct elemental analysis of solid metallic samples, allowing accurate determination of elements such as cerium, lanthanum, neodymium, yttrium and gadolinium, even when present in low concentrations or as process elements.
In industrial environments, OES is valued because it:
– ensures very fast analysis times;
– offers high precision and repeatability;
– is ideal for in-production quality control;
– supports monitoring of special alloys, cast irons and advanced light alloys.
GNR’s Experience in metal and rare earth analysis
Within this framework, GNR Analytical Instruments represents a national and international reference point for solutions in metallurgical and material chemical analysis. An Italian company with long-standing experience in the field, GNR designs and manufactures advanced instruments for the chemical characterization of metals and alloys, including those containing rare earth elements.
GNR technologies—ranging from metal analysis spectrometers to solutions used in material research—are employed to ensure accurate control of chemical composition, supporting both production activities and applied research projects. In industrial environments, optical emission spectrometry (OES) plays a central role as the reference technology for fast and reliable chemical analysis of metallic alloys containing elements such as cerium, lanthanum, neodymium, yttrium and gadolinium.
GNR solutions stand out for:
- high analytical precision and stability, even for elements present in low concentrations;
- fast response times, ideal for quality control and process monitoring;
- operational flexibility, with instruments suitable for both industrial laboratories and R&D centers.
For these applications, GNR offers instruments such as S3 Minilab 300, ideal for rapid elemental analysis directly in production, and S6 Sirius 500, designed for high-precision analysis of special alloys and materials containing rare elements.
Through collaboration with laboratories, research institutions and metallurgical industries, GNR actively contributes to innovation and sustainability processes, supporting Italian and European industry in the responsible and strategic management of rare earths and critical materials for future technologies.
The future of rare earths in Italy: research, innovation and sustainability
The future of rare earths in Italy will increasingly depend on coordinated growth in mineral research, the development of recycling projects and the strengthening of technological skills across the entire materials supply chain. In a context where large-scale primary extraction remains limited, the economic value of rare earths will lie mainly in the ability to recover, analyze and reuse them efficiently, reducing dependence on foreign suppliers and increasing the resilience of the national industrial system.
A key role will be played by increased collaboration between universities, companies and technology centers—essential for transforming scientific research into concrete industrial solutions. These synergies will enable the development of new processes, improved use of existing materials and the creation of competitive advantages for Italian companies in high-technology sectors.
In this scenario, analytical techniques become central to sustainable resource management: only through accurate and reliable chemical analysis of metals is it possible to control processes, optimize rare earth usage and ensure quality, safety and regulatory compliance. Technologies such as optical emission spectrometry (OES) therefore become strategic tools not only from a technical perspective, but also from an economic one, as they allow critical materials to be fully valorized while reducing waste and inefficiencies.
On this path toward a more circular, autonomous and sustainable materials economy, the solutions developed by GNR Analytical Instruments represent a fundamental pillar for Italian industry, supporting innovation, competitiveness and responsible management of rare earths as a strategic resource for the future.
FAQ
Italy does not currently have large active rare earth mines, but areas of geological and industrial interest have been identified. Scientific studies have reported potential concentrations in Sardinia (monazite and bastnäsite in granitic rocks), Tuscany (industrial slags and sludges containing yttrium and cerium), Veneto and Lombardy (industrial sediments and thermal waters), and in Trentino-Alto Adige and Piedmont, where mineralizations are associated with metamorphic rocks.
Italy is currently not focused on large-scale direct extraction of rare earths. Instead, the main emphasis is on research, recovery from industrial waste and technological scrap, and recycling, in line with circular economy principles and European strategies aimed at reducing dependence on critical raw materials.
Rare earths are strategic for the Italian economy because they directly impact high value-added sectors such as automotive, aerospace, renewable energy, precision mechanics and advanced electronics. The ability to manage, analyze and valorize these elements strengthens industrial competitiveness, reduces reliance on foreign sources and supports technological innovation.
The main Italian regions associated with potential resources or contexts of interest for rare earths are Sardinia, Tuscany, Veneto, Lombardy, Trentino-Alto Adige and Piedmont. In many cases, these are scientifically studied potentials or secondary materials and industrial residues, rather than deposits suitable for traditional mining.
Scientific research plays a central role in the study of rare earths in Italy. Universities, research centers and technological institutes are engaged in material analysis, development of recovery and separation processes, and assessment of environmental and economic sustainability. The link between research and industry is essential to transform scientific results into practical applications.
In industrial environments, rare earth analysis is mainly carried out using optical emission spectrometry (OES), a technique that enables direct chemical analysis of metals and alloys. OES is valued for its speed, precision and repeatability, and is particularly suited to quality control and production process monitoring.
Technologies developed by GNR Analytical Instruments enable accurate chemical analysis of metals and alloys containing rare earths. Through OES spectrometers designed for industrial and research environments, GNR supports laboratories, research institutions and metallurgical industries in material control, process innovation and sustainable resource management.
The future of rare earths in Italy and Europe will increasingly focus on recycling, recovery and efficient use of materials rather than primary extraction. Integration between research, industry and advanced analytical technologies will be decisive in building a more autonomous, resilient and sustainable materials economy, reducing dependence on non-European suppliers and strengthening industrial competitiveness across the continent.
