Substitution of Rare-Earths for advanced novel Magnets in Energy and Transport Applications is on a mission to develop innovative and sustainable advanced magnetic materials that substitute REE in the energy and transportation sectors. This project will work on developing and upscaling 3 types of magnetic phases: high-entropy alloys, ferrite-based composites and W-type ferrites, which could be deployed at large scale in the permanent magnets market. Substitution will be demonstrated in final applications by developing REE-bonded magnets for automotive components, and by designing and building prototypes for a REE-lean wind generator, a REE-free flywheel and a REE-free/lean e-motor for electric vehicles. The key technologies, skills and materials to achieve this impact will be developed within EU borders, contributing to a more resilient, autonomous and industrially competitive Europe.
The EU funded project GREENE aims to revolutionize Nd-Fe-B magnets by re-engineering them at the single-grain level to reduce RE content, using both virgin and recycled feedstocks, and minimizing environmental impact and supply chain dependencies. GREENE’s ultimate goal is to deliver more resource-efficient magnets with enhanced properties and establish an operational manufacturing system for these innovations.
The HARMONY project (Holistic Approach to enhance the Recyclability of rare-earth permanent Magnets Obtained from aNY waste Stream) aims to strengthen the independence and competitiveness of European industry by developing and validating, on a pilot scale, an innovative, eco-friendly, and safe closed-loop recycling process for rare earth elements from end-of-life (EoL) NdFeB permanent magnets.
The recycling cycle will include all phases of the value chain, such as the collection and disassembly of EoL NdFeB magnets from Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), the recovery of rare earth metals through an indirect recycling process, and the production of recycled NdFeB powder via three direct recycling methods. Finally, the production of magnets from recycled powder and the validation of recycled magnets in final applications are planned.
The collection and recycling stages will be implemented through eight pilot processes, achieving a final TRL between 6 and 7. The combination of direct and indirect recycling technologies will enable the management of any NdFeB-containing waste in any form (sintered or bonded magnets). Recycled NdFeB magnets will be used in the same applications as magnets made from virgin powder, as they will exhibit comparable properties.
The economic, environmental, and social feasibility of the processes tested in the HARMONY project will be demonstrated through Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA), and Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA). Additionally, social innovations will be considered, including citizen engagement, policy issues, standardization, and ethics, to overcome non-technological barriers that hinder the short-term market introduction of these new technologies.
MAGELLAN brings together renowned experts from industry, research and academia to revolutionise the way Europe recycles and manufactures rare earth permanent magnets (PMs) used in electric vehicle traction motors (EVTMs). The project will produce high performance magnets with 25% in mass of recycled materials by reprocessing end-of-life magnets sourced from EVTMs, e-scooters and e-bikes. It will also design advanced near-net-shape magnets by using the PIM process to decrease material losses during manufacturing process. In addition, the design of the rotors of electric motors will be optimised for efficient dismantling and increased reuse of magnets. Finally, the project will demonstrate the sustainability and business benefits of the solution. MAGELLAN will ultimately kickstart the development of a new sustainable and circular value chain for permanent magnets in Europe, thus contributing to a greener and more self-sufficient Europe.
The REEPRODUCE’s ambition is to set up the first sustainable and complete European REEs-recycling value chain at industrial scale, able to produce REEs from EoL products at competitive cost and with environmentally friendly technologies. Achieving this goal will secure an important and strategic value chain for Europe’s green transition. The REEPRODUCE project is capitalising knowledge generated by previous R&D projects - such as REE4EU - and will tackle all the remaining technical challenges along the entire value chain.
REEsilience is a Horizon Europe project which aims to build a resilient and more sustainable supply chain for magnetic rare earth materials and products in Europe for E-Mobility, RenewabLe Energy, Sensors & More.
SCIMIN-CRM aims to reduce Europe’s dependence on raw materials (RMs) by leveraging the untapped potential of over 100,000 mining and waste facilities (MWFs). The project focuses on critical and non-critical RMs, including fluorspar, baryte, rare earth elements (REEs), bauxite/aluminum, and other valuable materials such as copper and aggregates.
SCIMIN-CRM focuses on developing a "fast-path" process, supported by advanced technologies such as a collaborative digital platform for CRM assessment, mobile crushing technologies, and innovative processing methodologies. These advancements will increase valorization rates from near 0% to 5% and assessment time by 83%.
The project’s efforts encompassing several countries like Spain, Sweden, Austria, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, contributing to the aims of the CRM Act. By 2030, the new sustainable processes developed by SCIMIN-CRM aim to become the standard for MWF assessment, promoting market adoption, enhancing social acceptance, and fostering industry collaboration.