Baotou in North China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region has been promoting the development of a technology innovation center for rare earths, according to an Aug 1 Baotou Daily report.

That follows the approval by the authorities last year of company Beifang Rare Earth Group Technology Co, to establish the facility.

China is one of the world's big producers and suppliers of rare earths. These consist of a group of 17 elements -- including Scandium and Yttrium -- that are widely used in high-tech products ranging from flat-screen TVs to lasers and hybrid cars.

Baotou officials said the center will be a national-level platform for China’s rare earth industry technical standards.

It will aim to promote the development of China's rare earth industry through technological innovation, formulating standards and through platform incubations.

The innovation center will be home to industry associations, scientific research institutes, testing and certification institutions and upstream and downstream companies. A group of advisors will include seven academicians from the Chinese Academy of Engineering.

According to experts, the innovation center will be a demonstration pilot, promoting the transformation of innovation results into technical standards. It will be an incubator promoting the commercialization of innovative technologies and products.

Officials said the new center would be significant, in order to provide high standards for the rare earths industry. It will also increase the commercialization of scientific and technological achievements, promote the internationalization of rare earth standards and help the high-quality development of the rare earth industry in Baotou.