Project description
New technologies for recycling neodymium magnets
Rare-earth magnets (neodymium-iron-boron magnets), the strongest type of permanent magnets available, are widely used in manufacturing modern technology products. They are applied in electronics, wind turbines, electric car motors and others. Unfortunately, most neodymium magnets available on the EU market come from third countries. The EU-funded SUSMAGPRO project aims to develop a pilot supply chain from recycled neodymium magnets in Europe. With the support of a multinational team and new technologies developed under the FP7 Remanence project, the product will be tested. These novel hydrogen technologies will be used in the separation and purification process. Remanufacturing will then take place to achieve different forms of magnets and the potential of the new method will be evaluated.
Objective
The aim of this project is to develop a recycling supply chain for rare earth magnets in the EU and to demonstrate these new materials on a pilot scale within a range of application sectors.
Rare earth magnets based upon neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB, also containing dysprosium) are used in a wide range of products, including for example clean energy technologies (wind turbines and electric vehicles) and high tech sectors such as electronics. However in recent years the supply of these materials has come under considerable pressure and neodymium and dysprosium are now deemed to be of greatest supply risk for all elements.
The EU imports far more NdFeB magnets than it manufactures (>1,000 tonnes manufactured per annum). It has been estimated that ~ 2,000-3,000 tonnes/annum of NdFeB will be available by 2020 for recycling, which presents a significant opportunity. The aim of this project is to identify, separate, recycle and demonstrate recycled magnets at a pilot scale with a multidisciplinary team located across the EU. The project will target three of the main application sectors including automotive, electronics and wind turbines.
The project will develop new sensing and robotic sorting lines for the identified EoL products, building upon technologies developed in the FP7 project Remanence. New hydrogen based technologies will be demonstrated at scale for separating and purifying NdFeB powders from the robotically sorted parts and this technology will be duplicated at another partner in the project. The separated powders will be re-manufactured into sintered magnets, injection moulded magnets, metal injection moulded magnets and cast alloys, at 4 different companies across 3 countries, building upon work in the Repromag Horizon 2020 project. A techno economic assessment will be performed for each potential recycling route alongside a life cycle assessment to assess the environmental benefits over primary production.
Fields of science
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringwaste managementwaste treatment processesrecycling
- social sciencessocial geographytransportelectric vehicles
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsrenewable energywind power
- social scienceseconomics and businesseconomicssustainable economy
Keywords
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
IA - Innovation actionCoordinator
75175 Pforzheim
Germany
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Participants (22)
B15 2TT Birmingham
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400 40 Goteborg
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Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
Participation ended
400 40 Goteborg
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501 15 Boras
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08787 La Pobla De Claramunt
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
CH65 1BL Ellesmere Port
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
75228 Ispringen
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1000 Ljubljana
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
Participation ended
45145 Essen
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88046 Friedrichshafen
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Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
B90 4AX Solihull
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50011 Bagno A Ripoli
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8850 Bjerringbro
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HP4 1EH Berkhamsted Hertfordshire
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
2311 EZ Leiden
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2700 Wiener Neustadt
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Participation ended
30900 Wedemark
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8700 Leoben
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1000 Ljubljana
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70599 Stuttgart
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5280 Idrija
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Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
5280 Idrija
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