August 1.08.2019st, 2019 - In June 2020, the first phase of a four-year EU-funded research and innovation project began with a kick-off event in Pforzheim. The SUSMAGPRO project (full title: Sustainable recovery, recycling and reuse of rare earth magnets in a circular economy) is funded by the European Commission through the Horizon 19 program. XNUMX project partners and one associated partner from nine European countries are involved.

The partners from industry, science and technology transfer organizations met on June 3 and 4, 2019 in Pforzheim for the kick-off meeting to discuss challenges, expectations and the project process. SUSMAGPRO is run by Pforzheim University, represented by Professor Dr. Carlo Burkhardt from the Institute for Strategic Technology and Precious Metals (STI). The goal of SUSMAGPRO is to revolutionize the recycling of magnets. The project is facing the important challenge of recovering and reprocessing rare earth elements, REEs for short, from powerful magnets, which currently have a recycling rate of <1% in Europe that is too low. These materials are critical components as they are used in several high-tech industries such as automotive, aerospace, e-mobility, wind power and for consumer goods.

Every year 2.000-3.000 tons of REEs have to be imported because Europe does not have its own REE resources, which puts European production of permanent magnets in a weak position. The project partners want to reverse this process in Europe by recovering the tens of tons of magnets that are already in millions of devices at the end of their useful life. In this way, a circular business model in the sense of the circular economy is developed. Instead of disposing of the critical resources in landfills or exporting REE-containing waste to other parts of the world, SUSMAGPRO will use the latest technologies to extract the elements from the magnetic scrap and to turn the metals back into new products for the European market via short cycles Integrate the market. "In light of the current discussions about import tariffs in the Trump trade war, China is considering restricting rare earths exports to the US. European industry would also be badly affected, so this matter is unfortunately more urgent than ever, ”said Carlo Burkhardt.

The overall objective of SUSMAGPRO is to develop and demonstrate four novel pilot plants for the sustainable recycling of Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) 6-7 (technology or system prototypes demonstrated in the relevant / operational environment). In the process, secondary REE material is processed into new magnetic components and integrated into end products, which are to be presented in the second half of the project as part of a roadshow. The novel technologies and materials will take place along the entire value chain, and the solutions developed will enable Europe to better establish itself in the global markets for carbon-free mobility and energy.

Promotion: Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programs of the European Union under contract number 821114.

Contact:
Prof. Dr. Carlo Burkhardt
Institute of Strategic Technology and Precious Metals (STI)
University of Applied Sciences Pforzheim
+ 497231 / 286063
carlo.burkhardt (at) hs-pforzheim (dot) com

Source / image file: Pforzheim University