Rare earth glazed ceramic tea sets and tableware and rare earth antibacterial masks featuring the phrase "I love Baotou" have become popular gifts in Baotou among tourists and are being sold in several hotels and gift shops.

The 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) for the Development of the Rare Earth Industry in Baotou proposes the formation of seven industrial chains for rare earth, with the "rare earth + consumer goods" industrial chain being particularly noteworthy.

According to the survey, the market price of rare earth functional intermediate materials ranges from 300 yuan ($45) to 900 yuan per kilogram, which is at least 30 times higher than the price of many unprocessed rare earth materials.

Based on the known antibacterial and other functions of rare earth materials and combined with mature terminal commodities, the city will further migrate the rare earth industry to the consumer end of medical supplies, ceramics, daily necessities, and household appliances to improve the value of original products and the added value of rare earth raw materials.

In 2025, the city plans to produce eight kinds of "rare earth + consumer goods" products.

Just as beef and mutton are thought of when referring to Inner Mongolia's specialty products, it is hoped that the "rare earth + consumer goods" model will play a similar role in Baotou and boost urban consumption.