OREANDA-NEWS. December 09, 2010. The high-tech industry's eyes may turn to Silmet following China's decision to reduce exports of rare earth metals.

Mobile phones, MP3 players, hybrid car engines, wind turbines, radar and rocket systems - all of these industries need the metals.

AFP recently profiled the Estonian company, which is operating in a sector with an annual output of 124,000 metric tons that has been up to 97 percent controlled by China.

Silmet produces about 3,000 metric tons of rare earth metals per year, which is about two percent of the world's output. The company supplies 15 other companies operating in automotive, glass, ceramics and fuel additive and catalyst sectors.

David O'Brock, the director of Silmet, said the company feels relatively secure, claiming prices could double. Silmet  also produces two other non-rare-earth metals: tantalum, used in electronics components, and niobium for steel alloys.