The worldwide energy transition, coupled with the supply chain disruptions due to the COVID-19 crisis and the impacts of the war in Ukraine have fuelled global interest in securing access to critical raw materials (CRMs). Rare earth elements (REEs) are among the key CRMs required for the green and digital transitions and for which the EU meets its needs through imports, mostly from China. Permanent magnets – one of the largest applications of RREs – are important components for a number of technologies, including wind turbines, electric vehicles, e-bikes, white goods and consumer electronics. Although recycling processes hold potential for meeting a share of future demand for permanent magnets, they have not yet developed at scale in the EU due to several existing barriers.
In March 2023 the European Commission published a proposal for establishing a framework to ensure a secure and sustainable supply of CRMs, the so-called Critical Raw Materials Act. The proposal includes among others a range of actions to boost recycling of CRMs in Europe. In view of the recent policy developments, this event will bring together experts along the permanent magnets recycling chain and policy makers to discuss how to develop a recycling chain for rare earth permanent magnets in the EU. What are the key existing challenges for building a viable recycling industry in the EU? How can we practically scale up recycling processes given that many segments of the chain have not yet developed at full industrial scale? Which gaps can the European Critical Raw Materials Regulation fill?
Networking lunch will be provided from 12h00 onwards.
This event is organised in the context of the INSPIRES KIC- Raw Material Project that is co-funded by the EU.
