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The Cost of Fluorescent Lighting Continues to Increase

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According to major lamp manufacturers, the cost of fluorescent lighting continues to grow due to the shortage of rare earth metals. The prices are expected to increase between 5 to 75 percent, depending on the following factors: lamp tube, lamp color, color mix, wattage and diameter.

The price increase, which is expected to be as much as 1,000%, will be applied starting this November.

The main problem is that China, which produces 97% of the world’s rare earth metals, has recently reduced the production and increased the mining taxes of those elements.

Currently, the global production for rare earth elements is approximately 124,000 tons a year and the demand is 134,000 tons a year. That’s a deficit of 10,000 tons/year.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy 2010 Critical Materials Strategy Summary “China is only predicted to produce 160,000 tons/year in 2014, leaving a deficit of 40,000 tons/year.”

However, the analysts are also optimistic, believing that the situation may actually get better in 2014 when relief will come from new mines and processing facilities.

[via Cleantechnica]

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