# Yttrium: Emissions

Why yttrium's footprint is understated at the oxide stage

Source page: https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/yttrium/emissions/

Why yttrium's footprint is understated at the oxide stage What this tab covers The greenhouse-gas footprint of the commodity at a global level, split by lifecycle phase: extraction (or farming), refining and processing, movement, usage, and recycling or end of life. Intensities are per unit of product; the global total combines intensity with world output. Also covers other environmental impacts and the main levers to cut emissions. Emission intensity 26.0 t CO2e per t range 18.8-33.1 · cradle-to-gate primary data from Chinese heavy rare-earth sites, ending at mixed oxide; solvent-extraction separation to pure Y2O3 is outside the boundary and would add to it. Midpoint taken Global emissions per year 0.33 Mt CO2e per year 2025 · about 26 t CO2e/t x 12,500 t Y2O3 (midpoint of USGS 10,000-15,000 t), excluding separation and co-produced rare earths (derived, indicative)

Per t of mixed heavy rare-earth oxide (90% purity) from ion-adsorption clays, yttrium-rich, cradle-to-gate; excludes separation into pure Y2O3. Intensity: Deng & Kendall 2019, International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment 24:1643. Global total: Derived from Deng & Kendall 2019 and USGS MCS 2026.

#### Share of footprint by lifecycle phase
 Extraction 62% Refining / processing 38%

#### Footprint by lifecycle phase

| Phase | Intensity | Share | Main sources of emissions | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| **Extraction** | 10.4-21.8 t CO2e/t: in-situ leaching of clays with ammonium sulfate | 62% | ammonium sulfate supply (7.6-19.0 t CO2e/t on its own) | Leachant use is the biggest single driver | Deng & Kendall 2019 |
| **Refining / processing** | precipitation and pH adjustment 5.4-8.3 t; calcination 3.0 t CO2e/t | 38% | ammonium bicarbonate, oxalic acid, electricity (5.8 t CO2e/t) | Separation by solvent extraction into individual oxides is extra and not quantified here | Deng & Kendall 2019 |
| **Movement** | small | – | trucking of Burmese concentrate to China, container export of oxide | Not material | Qualitative |
| **Usage** | no direct emissions | – | ceramics, coatings, lasers, phosphors | Enabling: yttria-stabilised zirconia in thermal barrier coatings and fuel cells raises turbine and fuel-cell efficiency | Qualitative |
| **Recycling / end of life** | insignificant: EU end-of-life recycling input rate about 1% | – | some phosphor recovery from lamps | Yttrium in ceramics and coatings is not recovered | USGS MCS 2026; EU CRM 2023 |

#### Other environmental impacts

In-situ leaching of ion-adsorption clays leaves ammonium and heavy metals in soils and streams; unregulated mining in Burma's Kachin State has caused deforestation and water pollution.

#### Levers to cut emissions

- Cut or recycle ammonium sulfate leachant, the main source of emissions, or switch to magnesium sulfate leaching
- Low-carbon electricity for precipitation, calcination and separation
- Recover yttrium from wastes such as phosphogypsum and lamp phosphors
- Enforce leaching controls to protect groundwater at clay sites

#### India

India's rare earths come from IREL's monazite processing, which is low in yttrium, so India's yttrium footprint is mainly embedded in imported Chinese oxide (India produced 2,900 t REO in 2025e, USGS).
 Emission figures are indicative global averages from the life-cycle studies named; actual footprints vary widely by site, energy mix and method.

## Other sections

- [Summary](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/yttrium/index.md)
- [Overview](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/yttrium/overview/index.md)
- [Correlation](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/yttrium/correlation/index.md)
- [Extraction](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/yttrium/extraction/index.md)
- [Production](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/yttrium/production/index.md)
- [Stocks](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/yttrium/stocks/index.md)
- [Cycles](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/yttrium/cycles/index.md)
- [Trading](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/yttrium/trading/index.md)
- [Movement](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/yttrium/movement/index.md)
- [Criticality](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/yttrium/criticality/index.md)
- [Characteristics](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/yttrium/characteristics/index.md)
- [Relationships](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/yttrium/links/index.md)