Rare

Ozempic and blindness, we have been on the track of an extremely rare adverse effect for months. Now the AEMPS has taken a step forward

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A few days ago the The United Kingdom warned on an unexpected effect associated with the use of Ozempic and treatments based on the same principle, the phenomenon of Ozempic Babies. Now the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) has also issued a statement but this time as a consequence of a very different effect. Adverse reaction. This week the AEMPS, the agency in charge of ensuring that the drugs meet the required standards, has issued A statement To warn of a very uncommon ocular adverse reaction “associated with treatments based on the semaglutida, the active compound of drugs such as Ozempic, Rybelsus or Wegovy. The notice occurs after the Committee for the Risk Assessment in Pharmacovigilance (PRAC) of the European Medication Agency (EMA) reviewed the risk of developing an ocular condition called Niana, which can cause loss of sudden vision. While the agency affects that the frequency of appearance of this type of eye problems is “very low”, it recommends that a sudden loss of vision is carried out an ophthanmological examination for Evaluate the possibility to interrupt the treatment. Noiana. Noiana is an acronym that refers to calls Previous ischemic optical neuropathiesNaion in English. These ailments are caused For the infarction of the optic nerve head. In other words, blood does not reach this eye region and a loss of vision occurs, which is typically fast but painless. It is an unknown and infrequent disease, not only in the context of those who follow a trailer treatment: its prevalence in the general population is approximately 10 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. A year on track. A year agoa study I found indications of the relationship between the treatments of Semaglutida and Niana. Indications such as those that gave rise to the evaluation by the Pract. The Committee reviewed clinical and preclinical essay data together with suspicion of adverse reactions, explains the AEMPS. This work resulted in the conclusion that trailer treatment can be associated with a risk of developing this disorder but indicate that with a very low frequency. The AEMPS speaks of “an increase in the risk of developing Niana of approximately double compared to people not exposed to this treatment. This corresponds to an additional case of NOIANA for every 10,000 patients treated with semagglutida for a year.” And what about the “other ozempic”? The AEMPS statement focuses on the drug -based drugs such as Ozempic, Rybelsus and Wegovy but does not indicate whether similar effects have been detected on similar treatments such as those based on the tirzepatida, such as Zepbound and Mounjaro. A medication with side effects. Like any drug, the semaglutida has a series of Contraindications and side effects. It should be remembered in this sense that the success of drugs such as Ozempic began when it was observed that this treatment against diabetes made those who followed it lost weight. In Xataka | “Ozempic face”, “Ozempic language” and “Ozempic teeth”: the other very visible effect of consuming the medicine to lose weight Image | Chemist4u / Amanda Dalbjörn

Japan has discovered rare earth tons on its most remote island. Casually, a Chinese aircraft carrier has just approached

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Year 2022. Japan Make a decision That he was going to be fruit months later. The Japanese nation did not want to depend so much on China in a matter of rare earths, so decides to start a series of projects to search for them even at the bottom of the ocean. In the summer of 2024 they give a treasure in that seabed: a site of 230 million tons Of those “precious” lands, a swag that are under the easternmost island of the nation. Chance or not, something unprecedented has just happened in front of the enclave: a Chinese fleet With an aircraft carrier. An unpublished maneuver. For the first timea combat group headed by the Chinese liaoning carriers He has entered the exclusive economic zone (ZEE) of Japan, marking a new phase in Beijing’s naval projection and awakening immediate concern In Tokyo and Washington. The group, composed of the aircraft carriers, two destroyers with guided missiles and a supply ship, penetrated waters to about 300 kilometers to the southwest of the Japanese Minamitori Islandthe easternmost point of the archipelago, before leaving the area to perform aircraft takeoff and landing exercises. Although Japan He avoided confirming If he presented a formal protest, he said he had transmitted an “appropriate” message to the Chinese authorities: he displayed the Haguro destroyer To follow the activity of the Naval Group. Minamitori and his treasures. As We explained at the beginningthe incident is not just symbolic: Minamitori It is not inhabited by civilians, but houses facilities of the Japanese weather agency, self -defense forces and coastguards. Beyond its isolation (about 1,900 km from Tokyo), this remote island has become a point of Geoeconomic interest Due to the vast submarine deposits of rare metals, especially manganese nodules. In fact, recent studies estimate that nearby seabed contain More than 200 million of tons of these resources, fundamental to Strategic technologies and high capacity batteries. The passage of Liaoning so close to the enclave adds a warning dimension on Chinese interest not only territorial, but also economic in areas where Japanese sovereignty is not in dispute. Minamitori Island Leave Vú. Although this has been the first documented incursion of a Chinese aircraft carrier in this part of the Japanese ZEE, the truth is that it is not An isolated fact. Liaoning himself had already sailed Last month Between two Japanese southern islands, also within another region of the Japanese ZEE. In September 2024, he crossed between Yonaguni and Iriomote, two islands near Taiwan, even entering into adjacent watersthat extend to 24 nautical miles from their coast. In each of these movements, Beijing has rehearsed navigation patterns that expand the operational scope of its navy, reinforcing its ability to operate far from its coastline and projecting power in sensitive areas. Tactical climbing. We have gone counting. These incursions occur in a context of Regional tensions persistent. Japan and China keep years ago A dispute over the Senkaku Islands (Diaoyu in Chinese), uninhabited, but strategically located in the Eastern China Sea. Beijing has not stopped pressing its claim with regular naval patrols (even with buoys), while strengthening its presence in the Western Pacific through demonstrations of force such as Liaoning. The repetition of these maneuvers suggests A deliberate campaign to expand the regional tolerance threshold in the Chinese presence in areas traditionally dominated by the United States and its allies. Contained response. The spokesman for the Japanese Ministry of Defense has been clear when interpreting the maneuver as An effort from China For “improving its operational capacity in distant areas”, a reading that coincides with the recent evolution of Chinese military doctrine, more ambitious and less disguised. Although Tokyo has opted for a rather mesurated response, focused on intensive surveillance instead of direct confrontation, the underlying message It seems unequivocal: Japan is not willing to normalize Chinese military traffic in its maritime influence areas, especially in areas close to resources strategic However, the lack of a formal diplomatic protest could be interpreted as an attempt to avoid an immediate escalation while alliances are consolidated and countermeasures are evaluated. A red line. What just a few years ago would have been unthinkable, that a Chinese combat fleet with an aircraft carrier would navigate so close to the Japanese eastern end, today is an operational reality with lasting implications. As China strengthens its fleet and displays your assets With greater confidence, the Pacific maritime border becomes a board increasingly unstablewhere the strategy of the consummate threatens with redefining the rules of the game. If you want also, the Liaoning transit Together with the Japanese island, not only defies the regional balance, but also rehearses the normalization of a Chinese military presence in key areas for the energy, territorial and technological security of Japan. A Key Chess Chart Oceanicone where each movement is a reaction test. Image | BaycrestUS Air Force In Xataka | China has been claiming as its islands from Japan 130 years. So he has made a decision: surround them with buoys In Xataka | Yonaguni’s Japanese island was known for its beauty and Bad Bunny. Now it is a military strength because of Taiwan

China has emerged a new problem with its rare earths: smuggling

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China is deploying police, customs agents and even spies to stop the smuggling of its increasingly precious Rare earthcritical minerals on which it maintains an official embargo. Why is it important. The Asian giant The world production of these materials is obsessively controllingessential for the car, technological and military industry. Its new anti -policy campaign aggravates even more the shortage that US and European companies are already suffering, who are not finding short -term alternatives. The context. China cut legal exports of seven types of rare earths –and magnets manufactured with them– last April 4. The measure is part of a pressure strategy for the United States to reduce tariffs on Chinese products and allow the sale of sensitive military technology to China. Yes, but. Smuggling had historically been an escape valve. Chinese organized crime unions came to traffic half of the country’s annual production before 2010. Multinationals such as Boeing, Volkswagen and Toyota depended on supply chains where legal and illegal production was mixed, according to a report from The New York Times. Between bambalins. Senior customs, trade, police and intelligence services met on May 9 to Plan the offensive. Three days later, representatives of eleven national ministries and seven provinces issued a joint statement: the control of strategic mineral exports is “related to national security.” In detail. The new license system demands thorough documentation. Complete traceability. Chinese companies have to certify not only who buys the material, but how it will be used at each subsequent stage of production, including photographs of final products. This information, in addition to avoiding smuggling, can also become a detailed map of the use of rare earths abroad for the Chinese government. And that would facilitate future attacks directed against specific companies and countries: they will know who will produce what. The facts. Traditional smuggling routes have been complicated: With the scarcity getting worse outside China and prices shooting, the potential benefits for smugglers willing to assume the risk are enormous. But new security measures make the game more and more dangerous. Outstanding image | Lio voo In Xataka | China has executed three master moves to break the technological dependence of the West. The sanctions were his best gift

China’s absolute dominance over rare earths is the result of a strategy that no one else has. Not even the US

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The Rare earth They have a leading role in the commercial, technological and geostrategic war that the US and China support. These chemical elements are relatively scarce, and, in addition, they are not usually found purely in nature, but what makes them so special are Its physicochemical properties. In fact, thanks to them they have established themselves as A very valuable resource In numerous industries, especially in electronics and renewable energies. During the last year and a half the Chinese government has used its control of these chemical elements to defend their strategic interests In full confrontation with the US, Europe and its allies. The interesting thing is that it can do it because it produces approximately 70% of rare earths They are distributed in the world market, and, what is even more important, controls 90% of the processing industry to which it is necessary to submit rare earths so that they can be used. China refines 99% of the weighing land of the planet At the current US tension situation, Europe and its allies need to bet on their independence and consolidate their own supply chain. They are in it, but they don’t have it easy. The old continent in particular has been proposed to self -abuse At least 10% of rare earths He needs for 2030 thanks to the exploitation of the new deposits, such as the one he found in January 2023 the LKAB mining company near the city of Kiruna, in northern Sweden. China’s starting point is very favorable. As we have just seen, with a 70% production of the global market and a control of 90% of the rare earth processing industry this Asian country has this absolutely controlled market. However, we have not yet repaired in a figure more that is also very important: China refine no less than 99% of the heavy lands of the planet. These chemical elements are a subgroup of rare earth characterized by its greater density and lower ionic radius. Heavy rare earths are a subgroup of rare earths characterized by its greater density and lower ionic radius In addition, heavy rare earths are less abundant in the earth’s crust than the light ones. To this subgroup belongs as elusive minerals and with names as exotic as gadolinio, the terbio, the display, the holm, the erbium or the tulle, among others. How can we intuit, China does not control 99% of the processing of this kind of rare earth by chance. This absolute leadership is the result of a strategy in which teaching institutions are having an unquestionably protagonist role. And, according to the newspaper The New York Timesat the moment China has 39 university programs of chemistry specialized in rare earths. Presumably in these training programs students acquire the necessary knowledge to develop their professional career in the chemical industry specialized in rare earth processing. There is no doubt that this is one of the great strengths of the country led by Xi Jinping in this area, especially if we keep in mind that US universities currently do not offer a single specialized program in rare earths. The article published by The New York Times does not collect it, but in all likelihood European countries that have a greater dependence on rare earths, such as Germany or France, as well as Japan or South Korea are in the same situation as the US. These countries will cost a lot of time to acquire the favorable inertia that China has objectively, so it is reasonable to anticipate that in the short and medium term the rare earth processing industry will continue to be led by strong by the country headed by Xi Jinping. This Jens Eskelund statementthe president of the Chamber of Commerce of the European Union in China, clearly reflects what the US and Europe face: “Some approvals are coming (the result of negotiation with China), but they are far from being enough to Avoid imminent stops in production. We still face A great interruption in supply chains“ Image | Volker Braun More information | The New York Times In Xataka | We already know what is the best natural factory of the precious rare earths: a cosmic kilonova

Without the rare earths of China, lasers will end in Europe. Germany has found a way to do without them

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The applications of Rare earths They are potentially unlimited. To this peculiar group of chemical elements belong some metals as elusive and with names as suggestive as neodymium, promised, gadolinium, ititrium or scandio, among others. Some of them They are relatively scarceand, in addition, they are not usually found purely in nature, but what makes them so special are their physicochemical properties. Its characteristics are beyond the reach of the other elements of the periodic table, which has caused that during the last decades they are consolidated as A very valuable resource In numerous industries, especially in electronics and renewable energies. They are involved, for example, in the manufacture of hybrid and electric cars engines, batteries, semiconductors, catalysts, optical fiber, LCD panels, and even in wind turbines. Europe wants to stop being in the hands of China once and for all China dominates the rare earth industry with an indisputable forcefulness. According to him US Geological Service For many years it has produced more than 90% of this valuable resource. In 2022 its market share was reduced to 70%, but did not do so because of a decrease in production; This fall had its origin in the increase in rare earth production quota experienced Australia, Vietnam and Myanmar, among other countries. In addition, the country led by Xi Jinping also dominates the processing industry to which it is necessary to submit rare earth so that they can be used. So much so that according to Xincaifu Its quota if we expressly stick to the global processing industry ascends 90%. And with a 70% production of the global market and a 90% control of the Chinese rare earth processing industry has this absolutely controlled market. The Chinese government is using its control of rare earths to defend their strategic interests in full confrontation with the US The government of this Asian country is using its control of these chemical elements to defend their strategic interests In full confrontation with the US, Europe and its allies. In this context, the old continent needs to bet on its independence and the consolidation of its own supply chain. And it is in it. In fact, Germany has just made a very important contribution in a scenario of fundamental use of rare earths: the manufacture of lasers. These devices are used to produce medical equipment, in scientific research, in the manufacture of consumer electronics, and even in the tuning of Quantum computersamong many other industries. Rare earths are used to dopar the crystals That, very broadly, they are responsible for amplifying the light before emitting it with a fixed wavelength. The problem is that if these chemical elements are not available the production of high quality lasers is not viable. Well, it really wasn’t until now. And it is that the Fraunhofer Institute of Optronics, which is located in Karlsruhe (Germany), has found a way to manufacture the crystals involved in the production of lasers without using rare earths. In fact, we can see some of these crystals in the cover photography of this article. During its manufacturing process it is essential to minimize impurities and preserve the polarization properties of the crystals, but, apparently, the researchers of the Fraunhofer Institute have given in the Diana. Your plan now goes through developing production processes that guarantee the supply of these crystals that Europe requires. Image | FRANHOFER INSTITUTE OF OPTRONICS More information | Interesting Engineering In Xataka | We already know what is the best natural factory of the precious rare earths: a cosmic kilonova

The most powerful telescope in Europe has seen something rare while observing two brown dwarfs: a perpendicular planet

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Today, in things that we did not know that there were in other star systems: a planet that orbits perpendicular to its two stars. It is as strange as it sounds. A different planet. We have seen everything in the exotic exoplanet gallery that the observable universe offers us, but a new surprise has forced astronomers to readjust their expectations. Using the Vary Large Telescope del Southern European Observatory (ESO) In Chile, astronomers have found the first exoplanet known in a polar orbit around a binary system of stars: two young brown dwarfs. Orbiting at 90 degrees. Baptized as 2m1510 (AB) B, this world has two Tatooine style soles, something extremely common when it comes to more massive stars, but not so much in the case of brown dwarfs. However, what is common is that orbits its two host stars in a way that until now had only theorized: turning perpendicular to them, in a polar orbit of 90 degrees. We sensed that they could exist. Astronomers had already detected planetary training discs in polar orbite and theory suggested that They could form stable planetsBut finding them was another story. 2M1510 (AB) B is the first credible test that this configuration exists. And the most curious thing is that the team was not actively looking for this type of planet, they found it while refining the orbital and physical parameters of the two brown dwarfs, seeing that the path of the two stars was being pushed and pull in unusual ways. It is not a usual system. The planet is not the only rare in this neighborhood, taking into account the host stars. Brown dwarfs are larger than giant giant planets, but too small to maintain nuclear fusion which characterizes the stars “really”. But the rarity does not end there. These brown dwarfs form an eclipsest binary, which means that from Earth we can see how they hide each other. 2M1510 (AB) is an incredibly infrequent system: the second pair of eclipsessing brown dwarfs known to date. With more than 5,800 exoplanets confirmed to date, only about 16 orbit around two stars. That one of them does precisely around a system as atypical as a binary of eclipsessing brown dwarfs, and with a polar orbit, it is a real cosmic jewel. Image | THAT In Xataka | These real images were unthinkable before the Webb Telescope: they are planets orbiting other stars to 130 light years

China considers softening its rare earth blocking, although not for everyone. It is great news for Europe

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On April 4, just 24 hours after Donald Trump announced the taxes that he was going to apply to the importation of most products from abroad, The administration led by Xi Jinping responded. And he did it with forcefulness. In early December 2024 He chose to prohibit The export of some critical minerals to the US, among which were three essential metals for the chips industry: Gallium, Germanio and Antimony. Shortly after the Chinese government added two more critical metals to its list of export restrictions: Scandio and Disposio. These chemical elements are probably less known than metals prohibited by China previously, such as Gallium or Germanio, but are at least as important as the latter because they have a fundamental role in the industries of integrated circuits, telecommunications and the manufacture of storage devices. China has Europe at its feet The ability to put pressure from China had not yet been extinguished. Just ten days later, on April 14, the Administration did not hesitate take another step forward With the purpose of putting in check, in addition to the industries that I just mentioned, those of electric cars, aeronautics and advanced armament. To achieve this, it effectively suspended, in addition to the export of the most valuable rare earths, that of high -power magnets that have a critical role in the industries that I have cited in this same paragraph. China’s export controls are mainly directed to the US, but the old continent does not remain unscathed Chinese authorities are retaining in ports throughout the country not only rare earths, but also high -power magnets acquired by electric cars manufacturers throughout the planet, aerospace companies, chip factories and armament companies. Many of these organizations have high -power magnet reservations made with rare earths, but possibly They will only allow them to subsist a few months. Europe in particular is in an extremely delicate position. China’s export controls are directed mainly to the US, but the old continent It does not remain unscathed. At least for the moment. In fact, in Germany, which as we all know is the heart of the European car industry, There are already experts who assure that if China continues to retain rare earths and electric motors some essential parts of the electric cars production chain They will stop in no more than six weeks. For the European car industry this blow would be very difficult to fit. European companies that are dedicated to the manufacture of semiconductors are also in a very compromised situation. According to Reuters Many European chip production lines They will stop very soon Due to the shortage of crucial supplies, which has led the European Chamber of Commerce to meet with officials of the Ministry of Commerce of China to ask them to allow rare earth supply to European companies that are dedicated to the production of integrated circuits. The result of this meeting has not yet been officially completed, but the information that has been leaked maintains that China is willing to relax its export controls for some European companies. Image | Peggy Greb, US Department of Agriculture More information | Reuters In Xataka | The US will not be able to contain the technological development of China. Experts from the chips industry forecast it

In full obsession with rare earths, a fairly common metal has jeopardized the green transition: Copper foul

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The latest report by the International Energy Agency (IEA) on minerals has confirmed which He had been discussed for a long time: Today, the absolute leader is China. It is no novelty, but among all minerals there is one that runs a particular danger, and not precisely because of geopolitical control, but for the real risk of shortage. There is a problem with copper. Of all minerals, copper emerges as one of the biggest challenges. The IEA report He has warned That by 2035 there could be a supply deficit of 30 %, due to the drop in the mineral law, the lack of new discoveries and the high development costs. A set of problems. It can be explained in a very simple way In data: Only in 2024, copper demand grew 3%, mainly driven by investments in electrical networks in China. The growth of mining production has been modest, much lower than other minerals such as lithium or nickel. Further 70% of global capacity Copper processing is in the hands of China. 7% of global copper production is in regions vulnerable to floods and droughts. Is there any solution? According to Fatih Birol, director of the IEA, the challenge is serious but not inevitable. In statements to The Guardianthe need to accelerate permits and reduce bureaucratic obstacles, in addition to implementing public policies that provide guarantees of volume and fiscal incentives, is stressed. Another line of action that They have detailed It is international diversification and cooperation. Some countries have advanced technological abilities and refining experience; Others have abundant mineral resources and great geological potential. In this way, in the report They have underlined That establishing balanced alliances between both realities could unlock new productive capacities, reduce market concentration and strengthen the resilience of the entire supply chain. There are other methods. A complementary route that already begins to take shape is the recycling of copper. As the pressure on primary resources increases, recovering and reusing infrastructure metal and disused devices is outlined as another strategy. In addition, in certain non -critical applications, the partial replacement of copper is studied by other materials, Like aluminum either The Ruthenium. It’s not just about copper. The case of copper reflects a broader pattern: more than 50% of critical minerals are now subject to export restrictions. This includes from lithium to more unknown elements such as Gaul or Telurio. Chinese dominance in refining, higher than 70% in 19 of the 20 key mineralsmakes this country not only the largest producer, but the referee of the global energy future. Time is exhausted. And copper too. The paradox is clear: the more we want to move towards a cleaner and more sustainable future, the more we depend on an infrastructure that we have not yet secured. Copper has become a silent bottleneck, difficult to replace and even more difficult to climb in record time. Image | Joyce Cory and Pexels Xataka | The collapse of the AVE of Seville has shown something more serious: how difficult it is to protect copper in a 15,000 km network

China is drowning rare earth supply and in six weeks there will be a victim: European electric cars

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China has completely stopped The export of rare criticisms. In fact, during the last year and a half this Asian country has used its dominance over rare earths as A pressure tool on your rivals. On December 21, 2023, the administration led by Xi Jinping decided to restrict the export of some of its rare earth processing technologies, and this was only the tip of the iceberg. The last kick linked to these important metals was given by China to the US on April 4. Just 24 hours after Donald Trump announced the taxes that he was going to apply to the importation of most products from abroad, the administration led by Xi Jinping replied. And he did it with forcefulness. In early December 2024 He chose to prohibit The export of some critical minerals to the US, among which were three essential metals: gallium, Germanio and antimony. The European electric car can suffer if China continues with the hand brake This story does not end here. At the beginning of last April the Chinese government added two more critical metals to its list of export restrictions: Scandio and Disposio. These chemical elements are probably less known than metals prohibited by China previously, such as Gallium or Germanio, but are at least as important as the latter because they have a fundamental role in the industries of integrated circuits, telecommunications and the manufacture of storage devices. And just two weeks later, in mid -April, the administration led by Xi Jinping did not hesitate to take another step forward with the purpose of putting in check, in addition to the industries that I just mentioned, those of electric cars, aeronautics and advanced armament. And is that, according to The New York Times, has effectively suspendedin addition to the export of the most valuable rare earths, that of the elements involved in the manufacture of high -power magnets that have a critical role in the industries that I have cited in this same paragraph. Chinese authorities are taking the high -power magnets acquired by electric cars manufacturers throughout the country Chinese authorities are retaining in ports throughout the country not only rare earths, but also high -power magnets acquired by electric cars manufacturers throughout the planet, aerospace companies, chip factories and armament companies. Many of these organizations have high -power magnet reserves made with rare earths, but possibly only allow them to subsist a few months. For many years China has produced More than 90% of rare earths. Australia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Canada, Brazil, Tanzania or the US, among other countries, also produce these metals, but the largest deposits located so far of these elements reside in China. And, curiously, the country led by Xi Jinping too The processing industry dominates to which it is necessary to submit rare earth so that they can be used. So much so that its quota if we stick to the global processing industry amounts to 90%. China’s export controls are directed mainly to the US, but Europe is not unscathed. At least for the moment. In fact, in Germany, which as we all know is the heart of the European car industry, There are already experts who assure that if China continues to retain rare earths and electric motors some essential parts of the electric cars production chain They will stop in no more than six weeks. For the European car industry this blow would be very difficult to fit. However, while still having some reservations Europe has the opportunity to negotiate with China to avoid this very difficult situation. Everything is not lost yet. Image | Xataka More information | Automobilwoche In Xataka | China is about to have the ability to make 5 Nm chips, although it faces a difficult solution problem

If the question was how Rare eeuu would get after China’s veto, the answer is: hard drives

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SSD units may have become the norm in our PCs and laptops, but traditional hard drives continue to have a huge specific weight. This type of storage supports have an additional advantage of which some companies want to take advantage of: they contain Rare earth. Recycling against Chinese restrictions. Last week Western Digital advertisement which has created an important hard -record recycling program. He has done it in collaboration with Microsoft and with specialized companies such as CMR (material critical rcycling) and Pedalpoint Recycling. Picaresque economy for the US. The recycling process will take place in factories located in the United States, and those materials would precisely be used in other manufacturing processes also in the North American country. It’s about A singular measure that is necessary before the difficulties that USA will now have to access Those materialsand it is an example of how the country – like others – will have to go to ingenious solutions to solve the problems derived from the commercial war with China. Hidden rare metals. The objective of this initiative is to obtain rare earth oxides containing disposses, neodymium and proseodimium. Along with these rare metals it is also possible to obtain aluminum, steel, gold, paladium and copper. Hard discs to Gogó. This type of storage support is used massively in large data centers used for example for cloud infrastructure, and their life cycles causes units to be discarded constantly to avoid data losses. WD states that they have already recovered 21.3 tons of hard drives, SSD units and trays in which they are usually encapsulated in those data centers. According to Financial Timeshard drives in data centers have a useful life between three and five years, and it is estimated that the amount of waste globally in this area reaches 75 million tons in 2030. Recycling seems to work. The company responsible highlight that they have managed to recycle 90% of those rare metals, and 80% for the rest of the materials that you want to recycle. A complex but effective process. The discs come from Microsoft data centers and are sent to Pedalpoint to be ordered and processed. The magnets and steel are sent to CMR, and this company makes use of a recycling process called “dissolution without acids” (ADR) which is the one that extracts rare earths. This technology uses a copper salts solution to create a selective leaching that produces 99.5% pure rare oxides. The company avoids aggressive chemicals that could damage these rare earths or adjacent materials, such as aluminum. And more sustainable. According to The study Of the Digital Western engineers, this recycling process produces 95% less greenhouse gases than the traditional mining of these rare and material earths. Recycling hard drives is increasingly interesting. WD’s announcement is striking, especially considering that Microsoft is also involved in that project. However, hard drives recycling has been an area in which some startups are focusing clearly. We talked recently about Hypromag and Cyclic Materialsand in both cases the objective is the same: extract rare earths with recycled hard drives, as WD does. There is Other options underwayof course. But. The collection of these rare earth metals through recycling processes is striking, but China has restricted the export of seven rare metalsand only one of them (Disposio) is commonly used in hard drives. Image | Wikimedia | Barez Omer In Xataka | The US will not be able to contain the technological development of China. Experts from the chips industry forecast it

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