Technology Chain
The Ionic Technologies-led consortium, in partnership with Ford, has successfully completed testing of an electric motor with 100% recycled rare earth magnets. Tests conducted at Ford's research center in Dunton showed that the performance and durability of these motors are fully identical to those produced from primary raw materials.
Context and Background
The closed-loop technology chain consisted of several stages. First, Ionic Technologies recycled neodymium-iron-boron magnet scrap at its demonstration plant in Belfast, extracting high-purity metal oxides: neodymium oxide, dysprosium oxide, and terbium oxide.
Industry Impact
The project has key strategic importance for the European market amid China's strict export control of rare earth metals. Dysprosium and terbium are critical for the high-temperature stability of automotive magnets.