More recycling is supposed to bolster European supply chains – the German Raw Materials Agency examines the current situation.
The first EU-wide raw materials law, the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), aims to reduce the union’s dependence on imports by significantly increasing recycling quotas from 2030. One clear focus here lies on rare earth magnets, indispensable components for the energy and transportation transition, but over 90% come from China. Yet, under one percent of these crucial components are currently being recycled – so how realistic are the CRMA’s targets? A new study (PDF) by the German Mineral Resources Agency (DERA), conducted by the Fraunhofer IWKS, assesses the current recycling status of magnets made of neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) in Germany. These magnets are of the greatest industrial importance due to their high performance.
The result: There are still plenty of challenges on the road to greater supply security. Industrial magnet recycling in Germany and Europe is still in its infancy, even though some technologies have already been available for several years. One reason is the often suppressed prices of Chinese primary magnets. However, the main challenge is the stable and predictable supply of a sufficient quantity of spent magnets. According to the authors, estimates in this regard, which take into account sources such as electronic scrap, wind turbines, and automotive applications, vary significantly in some cases. From 2030, for example, generators from wind turbines could increasingly be available for recycling – but the question of the economic viability remains.
To increase recycling rates, the authors recommend setting up effective collection and return systems for NdFeB magnets, as well as financial incentives and political regulations for the use of recycled raw materials. In the area of logistics, obstacles such as the heterogeneity of waste streams and different product life cycles need to be overcome. Finally, the authors believe that cooperation between industry and scientific research plays a decisive role in the development of sustainable recycling solutions.
Read more: Another Fraunhofer study (we reported) also recently dealt with the objectives of the CRMA. In our white paper (PDF), in collaboration with TRADIUM GmbH and Adamas Intelligence, we look at the CRMA’s requirements regarding rare earths and lithium and their feasibility.
Photo: iStock/Petmal
