Due to the progressing new technology and the increasing demand, the research and application of rare metals are booming, and new metallurgical processes have been developed continuously, so the production of such metals has been gradually increasing. Almost all technologies used in daily life require at least one rare metal element, extensively used in computer, rechargeable battery, hybrid car, GPS system, gaming devices.

As industrial extractant for separation of non-ferrous metals (including cobalt, nickel, gold, copper, indium, etc.), electrolytic metals and rare earth elements, P204 and P507 are widely used in separation of cobalt and nickel as well as extraction of other metals.