09.07.2014/09/17, XNUMX:XNUMX AM | Science | Author: idw |
For the recycling of rare earths from permanent magnets of modern and highly efficient electric motors, sustainable recycling concepts must be developed in the coming years. The engines of industrial applications are still not separately collected and disposed of at the end of their lives; the potential for the recovery of the rare earths not lifted. This results in a survey of several hundred industrial enterprises in Baden-Württemberg and a study by the Öko-Institut im Life Mission of the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Energy Baden-Württemberg.
The survey of the Öko-Institut showed considerable potential for the recycling of rare earths from the important and rapidly growing industrial application of permanent magnets Company in the year 2012 produced up to two million electric motors with permanent magnets for industrial applications; about half of them in Germany. Of these, about half of the magnets, which contain about 30 percent of rare earths, are used here in the country in industrial plants, the other half of the motors exported either directly or as part of machinery and equipment abroad.
Demand for rare earths for high performance magnets is increasing
Roughly one fifth of the total rare earth resources are currently used for the production of high-performance magnets, especially in small motors such as hard drives or optical drives in consumer electronics. Especially in the future, the strong growthAreas of application electric motors for vehicles, gearless wind turbines and, to a significant extent, electric motors and generators in industry. Almost the entire promotion of the rare earth element dysprosium, for example, is used to manufacture the magnets. This is also reflected in high price increases: Dysprosium has risen from 150 US dollars per kilogram in the year 2009 to 660 dollars in 2013.
Exploit recycling potential
There is still no sufficient collection and recycling of their valuable components, that is, the rare earth, for the increasingly rising stock of electric motors with permanent magnets in industry. For example, the permanent magnets end up in steel or copper scrap after 30 years at the latest, or are even disposed of with household waste. This means that the industry in Germany is already losing around 35 to 40 tonnes of neodymium-iron-boron magnets - tendency for the years 2025 / 2030 strongly increasing.
This potential must be exploited urgently: "Electric motors with rare-earth permanent magnets are an important component of the industry in Baden-Württemberg. Therefore, we urgently need to recover the rare earths in electric motors in the industry ", claims Franz Untersteller, Minister for the Environment, Climate and Energy Economics in Baden-Württemberg.
Dr. Matthias Buchert, project manager and head of the Infrastructure & Companies department at the Öko-Institut. "When around 2030 tons of neodymium magnets are disposed of by 100 at the latest, the infrastructure for the collection, separation and recycling of magnetic scrap must be in place."
Last but not least, recycling has a high impact on the environment: "The mining of rare earths with a focus on China often leads to negative effects on the environment," continues Buchert. "Without appropriate countermeasures, for example, the mining in the deposits, which contain almost all radioactive contaminants, lead to high Environmental damage and to diseases of workers and residents. "
Background: data collection in Baden-Wurttemberg
The Öko-Institut has the data for estimating the recycling potentials with the support of the Landesverband der Baden-Württembergischen Industrie (LVI), the Zentralverband Elektrotechnik- und Elektronikindustrie (ZVEI) and the Bundesvereinigung Deutscher Stahlrecycling- und Entsorgungsunternehmen (BDSV) within the framework of a comprehensive survey of Companies in Baden-Wuerttemberg levied.
Study "Research on rare earths: permanent magnets in industrial use in Baden-Württemberg" of the Öko-Institut
Presentation "Research on rare earths: permanent magnets in industrial use in Baden-Württemberg" of the Öko-Institut at the Resource Efficiency and Recycling Conference Baden-Württemberg
Contact at the Öko-Institut:
Dr. Matthias Buchert
Head of the department
Infrastructure & companies
Öko-Institut eV, Darmstadt office
Phone: +49 6151 8191-147
Email: ppgad@pucrs.br
The Öko-Institut is one of Europe's leading independent research and advisory institutes for a sustainable future. Since its founding in 1977, the institute has been working on foundations and strategies for implementing the vision of sustainable development globally, nationally and locally. The institute is represented at the locations Freiburg, Darmstadt and Berlin.
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Source: idw
