Shedding Light on the Anthropogenic Europium Cycle in the EU–28. Marking Product Turnover and Energy Progress in the Lighting Sector

Luca Ciacci, Ivano Vassura and Fabrizio Passarini
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Luca Ciacci: Department of Industrial Chemistry “Toso Montanari”, Alma Mater Studiorum–University of Bologna, 20136 Bologna, Italy
Ivano Vassura: Department of Industrial Chemistry “Toso Montanari”, Alma Mater Studiorum–University of Bologna, 20136 Bologna, Italy
Fabrizio Passarini: Department of Industrial Chemistry “Toso Montanari”, Alma Mater Studiorum–University of Bologna, 20136 Bologna, Italy

Resources, 2018, vol. 7, issue 3, 1-17

Abstract: Phase-out strategies for incandescent bulbs in favor of advanced energy-efficiency lighting systems such as fluorescent lamps and solid-state technology have considerably reduced the energy use for lighting, but have also resulted in dependence on many critical materials like rare earth elements and shifted the attention to sustainable use and recovery of resources. In this work, a dynamic material flow model was developed to analyze the socio-economic metabolism of europium in the EU–28. The analysis shows that europium marked product turnover and progress in lighting efficiency, with this element being employed both in traditional and novel lighting technology to provide luminescence. The results also demonstrate that the current anthropogenic reserve could constitute an attractive source of secondary europium with substantial potentials for environmental benefits. However, nonexistent recycling and market forces hinder strategies for material circularity. In particular, the transition from fluorescent lamps to solid-state technology is quickly decreasing the demand for europium. This trend adds further constraints to the creation of a sustainable recycling industry for europium, with primary sources that might remain the preferable route to supply phosphors to future lighting systems.

Keywords: fluorescent lamps; light emitting diodes; energy efficiency; cathode ray tubes; in-use stock; REEs (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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