Towards neodymium recycling: Analysis of the availability and recyclability of European waste flows

The world is facing a growing neodymium demand, creating the need for developing recycling system to handle future waste flows. Recycling technologies are emerging, but around them can only be established with knowledge about available end-of-life (EoL) products. Therefore, this study quantified in European countries using material flow analysis, and assessed recyclability of major EoL For 2019, we find 7.7 kt Nd, consisting mostly NdFeB magnets. HDDs represent large current flow, while demand magnets industrial applications increasing. In future, electric vehicle motors wind turbines likely provide source good recyclability. Consequently, there will different product groups that determine volumes. To manage changing flows, should developed properties flows mind. Meanwhile, products improved by addressing bottlenecks chain.