REE4EU Project

Rare Earth recycling for Europe

REE4EU

REE4EU Technology has been awarded the Solar Impulse Efficient Solution Label

We are happy to announce that the REE4EU technology has been awarded the Solar Impulse Efficient Solution label.

The Solar Impulse Foundation is gathering a portfolio of 1000 innovative, efficient, clean and profitable Solutions with a positive impact on environment and quality of life. The label is awarded after a strict assessment process made by a pool of independent experts.

The REE4EU technology contributes to secure the European supply chain of permanent magnets, instrumental in the deployment of clean technologies supporting the transition to a low carbon future.

Now we can proudly claim that a neutral and certified methodology has supported the fact that REE4EU is an economically profitable technology and that possesses the highest environmental standards.

We are really close to provide Europe with a closed-loop permanent magnet recycling process at industrial scale!

More information available at: https://solarimpulse.com/efficient-solutions/ree4eu

 

REE4EU pilot in operation

The REE4EU project has demonstrated at a pilot scale a closed-loop permanent magnet recycling process for the first time in Europe. The REE4EU pilot has successfully treated several tons of in-process wastes and end-of-life products containing rare earth elements, resulting in the recovery of almost hundred kilos of rare earth alloys directly from the mixed rare earth oxides feedstock produced. The alloy  will be reused in the manufacturing of permanent magnet products. Take a look at the video showing the REE4EU pilot plant in operation!

 

REE4EU: the project goes on!

LCM has carried out trials in the 1KA electrolysis cell to convert permanent magnets-derived Rare Earth Oxide (REO) supplied by VAC to validate the REE4EU High Temperature Electrolysis (HTE) technology. SINTEF participated in the trials and carried out off –gas analysis to assist in process understanding and reducing gas emissions. The ingot produced was converted to strip cast alloy and supplied to VAC to produce permanent magnet. In the video below, the Rare Earth Alloys (REA) production in the HTE cell at LCM is shown.

 

REE4EU: integrated high temperature electrolysis (HTE) and Ion Liquid Extraction (ILE) for a strong and independent European Rare Earth Elements Supply Chain.

The project, funded in the frame of Horizon 2020 TOPIC SPIRE-07-2015, realized a breakthrough innovation in the field of Recovery Technologies for Metals and other Minerals. It made available Rare Earth elements and Rare Earth alloys for magnet production by developing, for the first time at industrial scale, an efficient and cost effective method of extraction and a direct production route for Rare Earth Alloys which were achieved through in-process and End-of-Life permanent magnets as well as Ni metal hydride battery waste.

 

Read more about REE4EU Project

 

REE4EU CONSORTIUM

  • SINTEF
  • FUNDACION TECNALIA RESEARCH & INNOVATION
  • LCM
  • VAC
  • ELKEM
  • IDENER
  • A3i-INOVERTIS
  • CEA
  • SNAM
  • STENA
  • AVERE
  • PNO Innovation
  • CEFIC
  • UPS - Laboratoire de Génie Chimique