The project proved technical and economic viability on in-process permanent magnet waste, as well as end-of-life permanent magnets and NiMH battery waste. The targeted integrated solution demonstrated dramatic improvements in cost and environmental performance compared to state of the art technologies. This includes avoidance of process steps, 50% energy savings, and 100% recycling of reagents as opposed to disposal of strong acid leaching agents in state of the art pre-treatment steps.
REE4EU developed also urgently required market data on EoL RE availability and a triple value-chain business case for a new European secondary rare earth alloys production sector. This was intended to create new jobs, increase Europe’s independence from imports and last but not least, provide valuable raw materials for fast growing European green-technology industries such as electrical/hybrid vehicles and wind turbines.
