Recycling rare earth elements from end-of-life NdFeB permanent magnets more efficiently

By addressing NdFeB permanent magnets (one of the most complex End-of-Life (EoL) products)  HARMONY is contributing to the EU Circular Economy Action Plan (2020) by answering to the will of:

making EU independent and enhancing its leading position in a strategic sector;
overcoming the reliance of EU among China on the supply of Rare Earth Elements (REEs);
opening the possibility of securing important and crucial value chains in Europe; and
giving a promising opportunity to REEs recycling ecosystem by building a circular process for the recovery of REEs.

Why NdFeB magnets?

Among permanent magnets, the NdFeB type is not only the strongest but is also more resistant to de-magnetization. As such, they are crucial components in electronic devices, wind turbine generators, and hybrid-electric vehicle motors. These applications are all in strong demand, which only deepens our dependency for these elements.

For example, the global installed capacity of onshore wind power is expected to more than double by 2030.

Similarly, the proliferation of electric vehicles is set to skyrocket, with more than 1.3 million monthly global sales at the end of 2023. The catch? More than 90% of hybrid and electric vehicles are expected to be based on motors with NdFeB magnetsNdFeB magnets, also … by 2025, forming an essential link in the chain toward achieving Europe’s carbon-neutral goals.

More than

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Global installed capacity of onshore wind power by 2030

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Monthly global sale of electric vehicles at the end of 2023

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of hybrid and electric vehicles are expected to be based on motors with NdFeB magnets by 2025

HARMONY's mission

HARMONY’s mission is clear: secure critical value chains, and pave the way for a sustainable, circular economy. The project aims to achieve this by developing a comprehensive recycling process, covering everything from magnet collection and dismantling to metal recovery and magnet production.