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Addressing Criticality in Rare Earth Elements via Permanent Magnets Recycling

  • Toward Resources and Processes Sustainability: Part I
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Abstract

Rare earth elements (REEs) are critical for many advanced technologies and are faced with potential supply disruptions. Recycling of permanent magnets (PMs) can be good sources for REEs which can help minimize global dependence on freshly mined REEs, but PMs are rarely recycled. Recycling of PMs has been discussed with respect to improving REEs resource sustainability. Some challenges to be addressed in order to establish industrially deployable technologies for PMs recycling have also been discussed, including profitability, energy efficiency and environmental impacts. Key considerations for promoting circular economy via PMs recycling is proposed with the focus on deciding the target points in the supply chain at which the recycled products will be inserted. Important technical considerations for recycling different forms of waste PMs, including swarfs, slags, shredded and intact hard disk drives magnets, have been presented. The aspects of circular economy considered include reusing magnets, remanufacturing magnets and recovering of REEs from waste PMs.

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Acknowledgement

This work is supported by the Critical Materials Institute, an Energy Innovation Hub funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Advanced Manufacturing Office. HDD materials shown in figures were supplied from Oak Ridge National Laboratory by Dr. T. McIntyre.

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  1. Critical Materials Institute, Ames Laboratory, USDOE, Ames, IA, 50011, USA

    I. C. Nlebedim & A. H. King

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  1. I. C. Nlebedim
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Nlebedim, I.C., King, A.H. Addressing Criticality in Rare Earth Elements via Permanent Magnets Recycling. JOM 70, 115–123 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-017-2698-7

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