China plans to extend its high-speed rail network and...

China plans to extend its high-speed rail network and underground train system in main cities. Rising demand for rare earth components such as neodymium-iron-boron magnets used in locomotives are expected. Mileage for high-speed train systems will be doubled in the next decade. By 2020 almost 4250 km of additional underground train lines in 90 cities from previously 30 will be built. Mainly motors with NdFeB as a permanent magnet are preferred.
Deputy director of the rare earth source material department of the China Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Mr. Meng Feng, announced that rare earth catalysts have become the fastest growing application in rare earth materials as they are efficient, nontoxic and recycable. Cerium-oxide is said to blossom in the dawn of widespread new applications.