Thulium
About Thulium
Thulium is the least abundant naturally occurring lanthanide rare earth element. When irradiated in a nuclear reactor, thulium-170 produces X-rays, enabling portable X-ray devices used in medical and industrial applications. Thulium lasers are used in minimally invasive surgery, and the element has applications in high-temperature superconductors and anti-counterfeiting technologies.
Primary Uses
Top Producing Countries
Quick Facts
- Symbol
- Tm
- Atomic Number
- 69
- Category
- Rare Earth Element
- Criticality Level
- High
- Supply Risk
- High
- Top Producer
- China
- USGS Critical List
- Listed
- EU CRM List
- Listed
Explore Thulium In Depth
Dive into detailed analysis across 11 key topics covering every aspect of the Thulium value chain.
Uses & Applications
Discover the primary industrial, technological, and commercial applications of Thulium across key sectors.
Supply Chain
Trace the Thulium supply chain from mine to market, including key intermediaries, processing hubs, and trade flows.
Mining & Processing
Learn how Thulium 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 Thulium products.
Recycling
Assess the recycling potential, current recovery rates, and circular economy opportunities for Thulium.
Substitutes
Evaluate possible substitutes and alternative materials that could reduce dependence on Thulium.
Investing
Understand the investment landscape for Thulium, including equities, ETFs, futures, and direct exposure strategies.
Price
Analyze Thulium pricing mechanisms, historical trends, benchmarks, and the factors that drive market volatility.
Companies
Identify the major miners, processors, and technology companies involved in the Thulium value chain.
Projects
Review the significant mining and processing projects shaping the future supply of Thulium worldwide.
Risks
Examine the supply risks, geopolitical vulnerabilities, and strategic concerns associated with Thulium.
Return to the full Mineral Library to explore other critical and strategic minerals.