Lutetium
About Lutetium
Lutetium is the heaviest and rarest of the lanthanide rare earth elements. Its primary application is in lutetium oxyorthosilicate detectors used in positron emission tomography (PET) scanners for medical imaging. Lutetium is also used as a catalyst in petroleum refining and in various specialty optical applications. Its scarcity and concentrated supply make it one of the most expensive rare earths.
Primary Uses
Top Producing Countries
Quick Facts
- Symbol
- Lu
- Atomic Number
- 71
- Category
- Rare Earth Element
- Criticality Level
- High
- Supply Risk
- High
- Top Producer
- China
- USGS Critical List
- Listed
- EU CRM List
- Listed
Explore Lutetium In Depth
Dive into detailed analysis across 11 key topics covering every aspect of the Lutetium value chain.
Uses & Applications
Discover the primary industrial, technological, and commercial applications of Lutetium across key sectors.
Supply Chain
Trace the Lutetium supply chain from mine to market, including key intermediaries, processing hubs, and trade flows.
Mining & Processing
Learn how Lutetium is extracted, concentrated, and processed into usable forms for downstream industries.
Refining & Grade Specs
Explore the refining methods, purity grades, and technical specifications that define Lutetium products.
Recycling
Assess the recycling potential, current recovery rates, and circular economy opportunities for Lutetium.
Substitutes
Evaluate possible substitutes and alternative materials that could reduce dependence on Lutetium.
Investing
Understand the investment landscape for Lutetium, including equities, ETFs, futures, and direct exposure strategies.
Price
Analyze Lutetium pricing mechanisms, historical trends, benchmarks, and the factors that drive market volatility.
Companies
Identify the major miners, processors, and technology companies involved in the Lutetium value chain.
Projects
Review the significant mining and processing projects shaping the future supply of Lutetium worldwide.
Risks
Examine the supply risks, geopolitical vulnerabilities, and strategic concerns associated with Lutetium.
Return to the full Mineral Library to explore other critical and strategic minerals.