Until recently I had not known that so-called "spice metals" are. This term refers mostly very rare metallic elements, particularly for modern technologies, including key technologies and irreplaceable because of their special properties (still) are inevitable. There are about 50 of these rare metal elements.
Each computer chip is now "seasoned" with up to 40 of these elements, a cellular phone with up to 25 of these fine metals such as Coltran. Light-emitting diodes (LED lights) come without gallium or indium, depending on the color, nothing. Also, flat panel displays, LED displays (screens), but also CIS solar cells require indium.
As commodity experts, such as Armin Reller of the University of Augsburg , to emphasize some of these spices or metals barely threaten their recovery will be extremely expensive. However, they are still subject to some sharp price fluctuations. So in 2007, the prices of platinum and palladium at record levels, with palladium, however, was a production surplus - the prices went back down promptly.
Platinum is known to be used for automotive catalytic converters, but - if you wanted to equip all cars of this world so that there would be problems because the metal will become more and more complex needs. Ten tons of ore must be processed to extract by 1 ounce of platinum. A portion of the platinum from catalytic converters is blown into the air and finally stored in our lungs, while others never get into the recycling, but remains somewhere in old cars, only 30-40 percent of the catalysts are given to recycling companies. (more ...)
