Production is underway at Europe’s largest recycling plant for rare earth magnets.
The new plant at Bitterfeld near Leipzig belongs to technology company Heraeus Remploy and has an annual processing capacity of up to 600 tonnes with plans for up to 1 200 tonnes in the medium term.
Heraeus sees itself as a key player in the sustainable circular economy accessing critical raw materials for the European high-tech industry. It aims to offer a reliable, local source of rare earth iron boride powders for magnets used in a wide range of applications such as high-performance electric vehicle traction motors, wind turbine generators, air-conditioning, data storage and sensors.
‘Heraeus Remloy has developed a unique recycling technology to ensure the long-term availability of neodymium- iron-boron magnets and to establish a sustainable circular economy,’ says technical director Alexander Buckow.
‘This technology enables resource-saving processing of used magnets, reduces CO2 consumption by 80% compared to primary production but achieves the same quality of magnets.
Demand to triple
Buckow expects the recycling of used magnets will cover more than 30% of the European requirement for new magnets. Demand for NdFeB magnets could more than triple by 2040 due to electrification and climate transformation.
Heraeus emphasises the need to develop sustainable solutions and ensure that vital resources are used as efficiently and as responsibly as possible.
‘Effective collaboration within the magnet manufacturing and magnet user industries is essential for this goal,’ the company adds. ‘Industry and government must also work together to find solutions to reduce Europe’s vulnerable supply chain for rare earth materials and maintain Europe’s leading role in shaping a sustainable future for the World.’" Source: Recycling International"
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