Heraeus Remloy Magnet Recycling Sale Strengthens Mkango’s European Rare Earth Platform

Heraeus

Heraeus Remloy magnet recycling is set to move under Mkango Resources after Germany-headquartered Heraeus agreed to sell its rare earth magnet recycling unit to the Canadian company. The deal gives Mkango direct access to a German platform for producing neodymium-iron-boron alloy powders.

Heraeus Remloy magnet recycling is strategically important because NdFeB powders can be used by customers to manufacture new permanent magnets. These magnets are critical for electric motors, wind turbines, robotics, electronics, defence systems and advanced industrial equipment.

Heraeus Remloy magnet recycling operates from Bitterfeld in Saxony-Anhalt. The facility can produce 600 t/yr of rare earth magnetic powders, with potential to ramp up to 1,200 t/yr.

The transaction is expected to close in summer 2026, subject to regulatory approvals. Financial details were not disclosed.

Bitterfeld Facility Adds NdFeB Powder Capacity

Heraeus Remloy was developed as an in-house startup within Heraeus. Its focus on NdFeB alloy powders places it in a valuable part of the magnet recycling chain.

This matters because recycling rare earth magnets is not only about collecting scrap. The material must be processed into usable feedstock that magnet makers can qualify and reuse.

The Bitterfeld plant gives Mkango an operational base in Germany, one of Europe’s core advanced manufacturing markets. That location could support customers seeking regional rare earth magnet materials with stronger supply-chain traceability.

The facility’s 600 t/yr current capacity is modest in global terms, but meaningful for Europe’s early-stage magnet recycling industry. The option to ramp up to 1,200 t/yr adds future flexibility if demand strengthens.

For Mkango, the acquisition can deepen its downstream rare earth position. Instead of focusing only on mining or separation, the company gains a route into recycled magnet powder production.

Europe’s Magnet Recycling Chain Gains Strategic Relevance

The deal comes as Europe tries to reduce dependence on China-dominated rare earth and magnet supply chains. Recycling is becoming one of the fastest practical routes to add regional material availability.

NdFeB magnets contain neodymium and praseodymium, and some high-performance applications also use dysprosium or terbium. Recovering these materials from magnet scrap can reduce pressure on primary supply and improve circularity.

Permanent magnet recycling also supports European industrial policy. Automotive, wind power, automation and defence manufacturers increasingly need secure, traceable and lower-risk sources of magnet materials.

However, recycled powders still need customer qualification. Magnet producers require consistent chemistry, particle characteristics and performance before they can use recycled feedstock at scale.

Mkango’s challenge will be to turn the Bitterfeld asset into a reliable commercial platform. If it can expand production and secure customers, the acquisition could strengthen Europe’s rare earth recycling ecosystem.

The Metalnomist Commentary

Mkango’s purchase of Heraeus Remloy shows that rare earth recycling is moving from concept to industrial asset consolidation. Europe’s magnet security will depend on practical facilities like Bitterfeld that can convert scrap into qualified, reusable magnetic materials.

Belfast Magnet Recycling Grant Strengthens the UK Rare Earth Supply Chain

IonicRE

The Belfast magnet recycling grant gives the UK a stronger position in the rare earth supply chain. Ionic Technologies will receive £12mn from the UK government for a commercial magnet recycling facility in Belfast. The plant will produce high-purity separated magnet rare earth oxides. As a result, the Belfast magnet recycling grant supports both industrial policy and strategic materials security.

This project matters because rare earth recycling is becoming more important in western supply chains. Governments want more local processing capacity for magnet materials. They also want lower dependence on imported rare earth products. Therefore, the Belfast magnet recycling grant reflects a wider push for resilient critical minerals infrastructure.

The planned facility will have capacity of 400 t/yr of separated magnet rare earth oxides. Product purity is expected to exceed 99.5pc. Ionic Technologies will use its long-loop recycling process at the site. Consequently, the project is positioned as a commercial recycling platform, not a pilot concept.

UK Rare Earth Supply Chain Gains a New Industrial Anchor

The UK rare earth supply chain has lacked enough domestic downstream processing capacity. This grant helps address that gap with targeted capital support. IonicRE said the funding will serve as a cornerstone of the project’s investment structure. Therefore, the government is helping reduce financing risk at a critical stage.

The policy context also matters. The grant comes through the UK’s Drive35 programme. That programme supports industrialisation linked to zero-emission vehicle technologies. As a result, the Belfast plant is tied not only to recycling, but also to future transport manufacturing needs.

This alignment could improve long-term project relevance. Magnet rare earth oxides are essential for advanced motors and electrified systems. Stronger domestic recycling can support cleaner industrial growth. Meanwhile, it can reduce exposure to volatile external supply chains.

Rare Earth Recycling Facility Fits a Wider Western Funding Trend

This rare earth recycling facility also fits a broader western investment pattern. IonicRE has already moved to develop vertically integrated rare earth oxide recycling in Missouri. That shows the company is building across more than one jurisdiction. Consequently, Belfast may become part of a larger transatlantic recycling strategy.

The market significance extends beyond its initial size. A 400 t/yr facility will not transform global rare earth balances alone. However, it can prove commercial viability and support regional supply security. Therefore, smaller strategic plants can still matter greatly in critical materials markets.

The Belfast magnet recycling grant also signals a policy shift in how governments support rare earth projects. Instead of focusing only on mining, they are backing recycling and downstream processing. That approach may create faster, more practical gains in supply chain resilience. As a result, recycling is becoming a serious industrial policy tool.

The Metalnomist Commentary

This grant is important because it supports processing capability, not just raw material ambition. The UK is backing a practical route into rare earth security through recycling and purification. If Belfast succeeds, it could become a model for how smaller western projects build strategic value.

HyProMag Rare Earth Magnet Recycling Plant Opens in Germany

HyProMag

HyProMag rare earth magnet recycling has moved into commercial-scale production in Germany after the company opened a new recycling and manufacturing plant in Pforzheim. The facility strengthens Europe’s effort to build a circular rare earth magnet supply chain outside China.

HyProMag rare earth magnet recycling will focus on neodymium-iron-boron magnets and alloys. The plant will start with 100 t/yr of production capacity, with plans to increase output to 350 t/yr.

HyProMag rare earth magnet recycling is strategically important because NdFeB magnets are critical for electric vehicles, wind turbines, robotics, electronics, defence systems and industrial motors. Europe needs more local magnet capacity as China continues to dominate rare earth processing and magnet production.

The plant is permitted for production of up to 750 t/yr. HyProMag and parent company Mkango Resources are evaluating a scale-up to that level over the next three years.

HPMS Technology Targets Magnet Scrap Recovery

The Pforzheim plant will use Hydrogen Processing of Magnet Scrap technology, known as HPMS. The process was developed at the University of Birmingham and is designed to recover rare earth magnets from scrap streams more efficiently.

This technology matters because magnet recycling can reduce dependence on mined rare earth feedstock and conventional separation routes. It can also shorten supply chains by recovering material already embedded in end-of-life products and industrial scrap.

Recycled NdFeB magnets can support European manufacturers that need secure and traceable supply. Automotive, wind power, electronics and defence customers increasingly want material with clearer origin and lower supply-chain risk.

The initial 100 t/yr capacity is modest compared with China’s magnet industry. However, the strategic value lies in proving that commercial-scale recycling and magnet manufacturing can operate inside Europe.

The planned expansion to 350 t/yr, and potentially 750 t/yr, would make the site more meaningful for regional supply. It would also help Europe develop technical expertise in magnet scrap collection, processing, alloying and remanufacturing.

EU Critical Raw Materials Strategy Gains Recycling Base

HyProMag’s German plant fits directly into Europe’s critical raw materials strategy. The EU wants to reduce dependence on imported rare earth materials by supporting domestic mining, separation, recycling and manufacturing capacity.

Mkango Resources adds another layer to this strategy. The Canadian company owns a rare earths project in Malawi and a proposed rare earths separation plant in Poland.

Both projects have been selected as strategic projects under the EU Critical Raw Materials Act. This gives Mkango a broader position across upstream rare earth resources, midstream separation and downstream magnet recycling.

The German plant therefore is not just a standalone recycling facility. It could become part of a wider European rare earth value chain connecting African feedstock, European separation and recycled magnet production.

For Europe, this model is important. Mining alone will not solve rare earth dependence if separation, metal making, alloying and magnet manufacturing remain concentrated elsewhere.

HyProMag’s Pforzheim facility helps address one of the most difficult parts of the chain: turning rare earth scrap into usable magnet products. If the company scales successfully, it could support a more resilient European magnet ecosystem.

The Metalnomist Commentary

HyProMag’s plant shows that Europe’s rare earth strategy is moving from policy ambition into industrial execution. The key test will be whether recycling capacity can scale fast enough to supply real magnet demand in EVs, wind power and defence.

Rare Earth Magnet Recycling Gains Momentum as Japanese Firms Target Air Conditioner Compressors

Daikin

Rare earth magnet recycling is moving into Japan’s commercial air conditioning sector as Daikin Industries, Shin-Etsu Chemical, Hitachi and Tokyo Eco Recycle prepare a joint recovery initiative. The project will recover rare earth magnets from compressors used in commercial air conditioners and return the material to new magnet production.

The companies plan to develop automated recovery equipment in 2026 and start full-scale operations in 2027. Daikin aims to collect around 10,000 compressors a year and eventually recycle several tonnes of rare earth magnets annually.

Rare earth magnet recycling is strategically important because compressors use internal motors that contain neodymium-based magnets. These magnets are essential for high-efficiency air conditioners, electric vehicles, industrial motors and other electrified systems.

The initiative also addresses a gap in Japan’s recycling infrastructure. Daikin said there is currently no established framework in Japan for recovering rare earth magnets from commercial air conditioner compressors.

Compressor Motors Offer a New Urban Mine

Commercial air conditioner compressors are a practical target for rare earth magnet recycling because they are large, identifiable and collected through equipment replacement channels. This makes them easier to trace than many small electronic products.

Daikin will collect used compressors under the scheme. Tokyo Eco Recycle, working with Hitachi, will extract the rare earth magnets from the units. Shin-Etsu Chemical will then use the recovered magnets as raw material for new rare earth magnet production.

This structure creates a closed-loop model. It connects product collection, disassembly, magnet recovery and remanufacturing inside one coordinated supply chain.

The industrial meaning is significant. Japan is trying to recover strategic materials from domestic end-of-life equipment rather than relying only on imported rare earths. This can reduce exposure to supply disruptions and improve material security for manufacturers.

Neodymium magnets are particularly important because they support compact, high-efficiency motors. Air conditioner makers need these motors to reduce energy consumption, while EV and industrial motor producers need them for power density and performance.

The project could also become a model for other equipment categories. If companies can recover magnets efficiently from compressors, similar approaches may be applied to motors, pumps, factory equipment and vehicle components.

Automation and Policy Support Strengthen Japan’s Recycling Model

The companies plan to improve recovery efficiency through automation. AI-based image recognition and robotics will help optimise disassembly processes for different compressor models.

This is important because recycling rare earth magnets is not only a materials issue. It is also a dismantling and sorting problem. Magnet recovery becomes difficult when product designs, motor structures and fastening systems vary across models.

A centralised data system will manage the full process from collection to remanufacturing. This should improve traceability, recovery planning and quality control across the recycling chain.

The policy backdrop is also supportive. Japan’s environment ministry has allocated about ¥37.9bn, or $238mn, in its fiscal 2026 budget to promote recycling of metal resources, including rare metals and rare earths.

This shows that Japan views critical minerals recycling as both an environmental and economic security priority. Recycling reduces waste, but it also lowers dependence on concentrated foreign supply chains.

China still dominates much of the global rare earth supply chain, from mining and separation to metal conversion and magnet production. For Japan, domestic recycling can provide a supplementary source of magnet raw materials and reduce supply risk for strategic industries.

However, the scale will be modest at first. Recycling several tonnes of magnets annually will not replace primary supply. But it can create a repeatable industrial system that grows as collection networks, automation and remanufacturing improve.

The bigger value lies in building capability. Japan is connecting equipment makers, recyclers and magnet producers before supply stress becomes more severe.

The Metalnomist Commentary

Rare earth magnet recycling from compressors shows how industrial equipment can become a strategic materials source. Japan’s advantage will come from turning product traceability, automation and chemical expertise into a scalable recycling loop before rare earth supply risks intensify.

Cyclic VAC US magnet recycling partnership boosts North American circularity

Cyclic Materials

The Cyclic VAC US magnet recycling partnership marks a major step toward a circular rare earth magnet supply chain in North America. Under a new 10-year exclusive deal, Cyclic Materials will recycle swarf from VAC’s Sumter, South Carolina magnet plant. As a result, the Cyclic VAC US magnet recycling partnership links cutting-edge US magnet manufacturing with low-carbon, recycling-based feedstock.

Building a circular rare earth magnet supply in the US

The Cyclic VAC US magnet recycling partnership will capture byproducts from VAC’s US production lines. VAC produces neodymium-iron-boron magnets for automotive, defense, industrial and renewable energy uses. Meanwhile, the Sumter facility will anchor long-term supply for General Motors’ EV platforms under a decade-long agreement.

Cyclic will process the swarf into recycled rare earth raw materials with a reported 75pc lower carbon footprint than mined material. In parallel, Cyclic plans to invest over $20mn in a Mesa, Arizona plant. That facility is designed to process 25,000 t/yr of end-of-life magnet components from early 2026. Together, these projects push US magnet recycling beyond pilots and into industrial scale.

VAC’s US growth links primary offtake and recycling loops

VAC’s US expansion combines primary offtake, federal funding and recycling partnerships into one integrated ecosystem. E-VAC, VAC’s US subsidiary, has secured more than $200mn from the US Defense and Energy departments. These funds support the Sumter plant, which will ramp magnet output through the decade.

At the same time, VAC signed an offtake agreement with Pensana for mixed rare earth carbonate from Angola’s Longonjo project. That deal will support eVAC’s magnet output rising from 2,000 t/yr to 12,000 t/yr by 2029. The Cyclic VAC US magnet recycling partnership adds a second feedstock leg, closing material loops around swarf and, in time, end-of-life magnets. Therefore, VAC’s model blends upstream mining offtake with downstream recycling to reduce dependence on Chinese supply.

The Metalnomist Commentary

This partnership shows how serious US and allied players have become about mine-to-magnet-to-recycle value chains. If Cyclic can scale its Arizona facility as planned, swarf and scrap could evolve from waste streams into strategic feedstock. For OEMs like GM, a resilient US magnet base that mixes primary and recycled material will be central to long-term EV and defense planning.

IonicRE Rare Earth Recycling Deal Targets Ex-China Magnet Supply Gap

Ionic rare earths

IonicRE rare earth recycling plans have gained a technology boost after the Australian rare earths miner, refiner and recycler signed a licensing agreement with US refiner Nth Cycle. The deal gives Ionic Rare Earths access to electro-extraction technology for its US and global recycling operations.

IonicRE rare earth recycling will focus on recovering rare earth oxides from neodymium-iron-boron permanent magnet dust. These oxides can then be reused in the production of new rare earth magnets.

IonicRE rare earth recycling is strategically important because magnet supply chains outside China remain weak in midstream processing and recycling. The agreement helps address that gap by adding technology that can convert magnet waste into reusable rare earth oxide products.

Nth Cycle’s technology can break down NdFeB magnet dust into rare earth oxides. This supports circular supply chains for materials used in electric vehicles, wind turbines, robotics, defence systems and advanced electronics.

NdFeB Magnet Dust Becomes a Strategic Feedstock

NdFeB magnet recycling is becoming more important as demand for rare earth permanent magnets grows. Magnet production generates upstream and downstream dust, and that material contains valuable neodymium, praseodymium and heavy rare earth elements.

IonicRE already has proprietary technology for recycling REPM metal dust. Nth Cycle’s electro-extraction process adds another capability and fills a specific midstream gap in the ex-China recycling chain.

The technology could be used at IonicRE’s Belfast recycling facility in Northern Ireland. It may also support the company’s 50:50 joint venture with Viridis at a planned recycling facility in Brazil.

The US is another important target. IonicRE already supplies technology to US Strategic Metals’ Missouri recycling facility, which is expected to recover neodymium-praseodymium oxide and heavy rare earths including dysprosium, terbium, samarium, gadolinium and holmium.

This matters because recycling can reduce dependence on mined supply and improve traceability. It can also create shorter, more secure material loops for magnet makers and industrial users.

Recycling Adds Depth to Ex-China Rare Earth Supply

IonicRE remains a small player in the global rare earth chain, but its strategy connects mining, refining and recycling. The company owns 60% of the Makuutu rare earth project in Uganda, which contains 617mn t of ore grading 630ppm total rare earth oxide.

The recycling technology agreement adds another route to supply. Rather than relying only on new mined material, IonicRE can target waste streams from magnet production and end-use supply chains.

This is important because China still dominates rare earth refining. China accounted for 91% of global rare earth refining in 2024, leaving western and allied supply chains exposed to processing concentration.

Recycling will not replace primary rare earth mining. But it can provide incremental supply, improve resilience and help build processing expertise outside China.

The real value lies in integration. Recovered rare earth oxides must be refined, qualified, converted into metals or alloys, and returned to magnet production.

IonicRE’s agreement with Nth Cycle therefore supports a wider strategic goal. It helps build the technical infrastructure needed for a circular rare earth magnet supply chain outside China.

The Metalnomist Commentary

IonicRE’s licensing deal shows that rare earth recycling is moving from sustainability language into supply-chain strategy. The key opportunity is not only recovering magnet waste, but turning it into qualified oxide feedstock that can support non-China magnet production.

NdFeB magnet recycling feedstock expands as HyProMag adds EV and wind rotors

NdFeB magnet recycling

NdFeB magnet recycling feedstock is widening beyond small electronics as HyProMag USA expands its supply pipeline. The company will now include rotors from electric motors, wind turbines, and other equipment in its feedstock agreement. Therefore, NdFeB magnet recycling feedstock could scale faster as larger, bulk streams enter the collection system.

NdFeB magnet recycling feedstock growth follows HyProMag’s July partnership with Intelligent Lifecycle Solutions, also known as ILS. The updated scope adds electric motors, wind turbine magnets, speaker assemblies, and MRI machines alongside hard disk drives. Meanwhile, the broader mix can improve resilience when any single scrap category tightens.

New collection streams target bulky magnets from electrification assets

NdFeB magnet recycling feedstock now includes rotor-based material that typically carries higher magnet mass per unit. This change matters because EV drivetrains and wind turbines hold concentrated rare earth magnet content. As a result, the expanded intake can support higher throughput and more predictable procurement.

ILS will continue to secure and store NdFeB material from HDDs at pre-processing sites in Williston, South Carolina and Reno, Nevada. The network can consolidate, sort, and stage material before downstream processing. However, bulk rotor streams may require different dismantling and demagnetisation steps than HDD-derived magnets.

Fort Worth commissioning links feedstock to scalable output capacity

NdFeB magnet recycling feedstock expansion supports HyProMag’s push toward commissioning a plant in Fort Worth, Texas. The partners will form a joint team to accelerate purchases as the facility advances. Therefore, procurement speed becomes a near-term competitive lever as more recyclers chase the same magnet-rich scrap.

The Texas plant is designed for 750 tonnes per year of recycled sintered NdFeB magnets and 807 tonnes per year of NdFeB co-products. The long operating-life plan signals an industrial-scale strategy rather than a short pilot cycle. Meanwhile, downstream users will watch qualification, purity, and consistency as the product slate develops.

The Metalnomist Commentary

NdFeB magnet recycling feedstock from motors and wind assets can unlock bigger volumes than HDD-centric sourcing. However, collection logistics and contamination control will decide real yields. Therefore, HyProMag’s joint procurement model with ILS looks strategically timed.

IonicRE USSM Magnet Recycling Partnership Targets High-Purity Rare Earth Oxides

IonicRE

The IonicRE USSM magnet recycling partnership aims to produce high-purity rare earth oxides from recycled magnets in the US. The IonicRE USSM magnet recycling partnership will recover NdPr and multiple heavy rare earths from end-of-life materials. This IonicRE USSM magnet recycling partnership strengthens circular supply chains for critical minerals used in electric vehicles and advanced electronics.

Technology-driven rare earth recovery in Missouri

US Strategic Metals will operate a Missouri recycling facility that focuses on rare earth extraction from discarded magnets. The plant will recover neodymium–praseodymium oxide plus heavy rare earths like dysprosium and terbium. It will also produce samarium, gadolinium and holmium oxides, which are vital for high-performance permanent magnets.

Ionic Rare Earths will provide the core recycling technology through its UK arm, Ionic Technologies. This technology will allow USSM to produce separated rare earth oxides with purities above 99.5pc. As a result, the project targets magnet-grade products that can directly serve automotive, wind and electronics manufacturers.

Building a rare earth circular economy across three continents

IonicRE already holds a 60pc stake in the Makuutu rare earths project in Uganda. That asset provides a potential primary feedstock base for future value chains. Meanwhile, its joint venture in Brazil with Viridis Mining and Minerals adds refinery and magnet recycling capacity.

Together, these projects position IonicRE across mining, refining and recycling in Africa, South America and now North America. This diversified footprint reduces reliance on single-country supply for key elements like NdPr, dysprosium and terbium. Therefore, the new US partnership helps align resource security with circular economy goals in the rare earth sector.

The Metalnomist Commentary

This deal underlines how magnet recycling is moving from pilot scale to commercially relevant volumes in North America. By combining IonicRE’s technology with USSM’s facility, the partnership could become a template for regional rare earth circularity. The broader footprint across Uganda, Brazil and the US also shows how mid-tier players can stitch together multi-continent supply chains outside China.

Cyclic US REE Recycling Expansion Deepens North American Magnet Supply Ambitions

Cyclic

Cyclic US REE recycling expansion is accelerating as the company moves to build a second US facility in South Carolina. The new McBee site will process 600 metric tonnes per year of mixed rare-earth oxides, with expansion planned to 1,800 t/yr. Operations are expected to begin in 2028. As a result, Cyclic US REE recycling expansion is becoming a more serious part of the North American magnet supply chain.

This project matters because rare earth recycling is moving from pilot scale toward industrial relevance. Cyclic is investing more than $82mn in the McBee facility. The company is also building on a larger spoke-hub strategy rather than a single isolated plant. Therefore, Cyclic US REE recycling expansion reflects a broader effort to localize critical rare earth processing in North America.

The location also adds strategic value. McBee sits close to Vacuumschmelze’s magnet manufacturing site in Sumter, South Carolina. Cyclic already has a 10-year exclusive agreement with VAC to recycle magnet production byproducts. Consequently, the new plant links recycling capacity directly to downstream magnet manufacturing demand.

North American Rare Earth Recycling Is Moving Toward Industrial Scale

North American rare earth recycling is gaining more industrial depth through this investment. Cyclic said the McBee facility will operate as a combined spoke-and-hub. It will also become the company’s largest hub to date. That means the project is designed for system scale, not just regional collection.

The company is also supporting this buildout with stronger capital backing. Cyclic recently closed a $75mn equity funding round, bringing total equity funding above $162mn. That financial support gives the company more room to scale processing infrastructure. As a result, North American rare earth recycling is attracting more serious investor confidence.

The broader network already shows how this model is developing. Cyclic operates its first hub in Ontario and has invested in a large Arizona facility for end-of-life rare-earth permanent magnets. These sites support a cross-border recycling chain rather than a single-country model. Therefore, the company is positioning itself as a multi-node recycler in a strategically sensitive market.

Magnet Recycling Supply Chain Gains a Stronger US Processing Base

The magnet recycling supply chain stands to benefit most from the McBee project. The facility will process mixed rare-earth oxides, which are critical intermediate materials in the rare earth value chain. Stronger domestic processing capacity can reduce dependence on longer and more fragile overseas routes. Consequently, the new site could improve both resilience and lead times.

The VAC relationship makes that especially important. Recycling magnet production byproducts creates a more closed-loop industrial model. That can improve feedstock security while supporting lower-waste manufacturing. Meanwhile, it gives Cyclic a direct commercial pathway rather than relying only on spot material flows.

The international dimension also remains important. Cyclic already has an agreement to supply Solvay’s La Rochelle plant for further separation and purification from its Ontario hub output. That means the company is building a chain that connects North American recycling with allied refining capacity. Therefore, Cyclic US REE recycling expansion supports both regional resilience and transatlantic processing cooperation.

The Metalnomist Commentary

This project matters because rare earth strategy now depends as much on recycling systems as on mining. Cyclic is building a supply chain model that connects scrap, oxides, and magnets more directly. If McBee ramps successfully, it could become a meaningful benchmark for western rare earth circularity.

Neo Rare Earth Recycling Deal Strengthens Circular Magnet Supply Chain

Neo performance materials

Neo rare earth recycling plans with Cyclic Materials will support a more circular supply chain for rare earth magnets in Europe and North America. The agreement allows Neo Performance Materials to feed recovered rare earth elements into its alloy and magnet manufacturing operations.

Neo rare earth recycling also aligns with the EU Critical Raw Materials Act, which aims to increase rare earth processing and recycling capacity. This is important because Europe needs more secure access to magnet materials used in EVs, wind turbines, robotics, automation, defence systems, and advanced electronics.

Cyclic Materials recovers rare earth elements from magnet production scrap and end-of-life magnet-bearing materials. Under the agreement, Neo will supply magnet production scrap from its European operations to Cyclic, which will recycle the material into mixed rare earth oxide.

Recycled Rare Earth Oxides Support Neo’s Magnet Platform

Neo will receive mixed rare earth oxides and related products from Cyclic. These materials will come from end-of-life magnets and third-party magnet manufacturing scrap, creating a secondary feedstock stream for Neo’s downstream operations.

This structure matters because rare earth magnet supply chains remain highly exposed to China-dominated processing and refining capacity. Recycling does not eliminate the need for primary rare earth mining, but it can improve resilience, reduce waste, and support traceable supply for strategic customers.

Neo operates a 2,000 t/yr magnet production facility in Estonia and plans to expand it to 5,000 t/yr. A reliable recycled feedstock channel could become more valuable as European magnet production scales and customers demand stronger ESG and supply-chain security credentials.

Cyclic Expands North American Rare Earth Recycling Capacity

Cyclic is building a rare earth recycling campus in South Carolina with initial processing capacity of 2,000 t/yr of magnets. The site is expected to produce 600 t/yr of mixed rare earth oxide, with expansion plans to reach 6,000 t/yr of magnet processing and 1,800 t/yr of MREO output.

The company also has an agreement with Vacuumschmelze to recycle production scrap from the German group’s Sumter, South Carolina, magnet facility. This shows that rare earth recycling is moving from pilot concepts toward integrated industrial supply agreements.

The Neo-Cyclic partnership connects European magnet manufacturing, North American recycling capacity, and recycled rare earth oxide supply. That model could become increasingly important as governments push for domestic and allied rare earth value chains outside China.

The Metalnomist Commentary

Rare earth recycling is becoming a strategic complement to mining and separation, not a side activity. The key advantage will go to companies that can connect scrap collection, oxide recovery, alloying, and magnet production into one qualified supply chain.

Huahong Rare Earth Output Rises as NdFeB Scrap Recycling Supports Magnet Demand

Huahong Rare Earth

Huahong rare earth output increased sharply in 2025 as stronger demand from new energy vehicles, industrial automation and energy-saving motors lifted China’s rare earth recycling and magnet supply chain. Zhejiang Huahong Technology produced 8,794t of rare earth oxides during the year, up 71% from 2024.

Huahong rare earth output growth was also supported by tighter rare earth supply conditions in China. Stricter government controls on mining, processing and production capacity helped lift prices and encouraged stronger output from qualified oxide and magnet producers.

Huahong rare earth output is strategically important because the company recovers rare earth oxides from neodymium-iron-boron scrap. This recycling route gives China another feedstock source for magnet production at a time when primary supply, mining quotas and scrap availability remain sensitive.

Sales of rare earth oxides rose by 57% to 9,165t in 2025, while inventories increased by 7% to 359t. The figures show that downstream demand remained strong enough to absorb most of the company’s higher oxide output.

NdFeB Scrap Recycling Gains Value Under Tighter Rare Earth Supply

Huahong operates three production bases for NdFeB scrap recycling: Ji’an Xintai, Jishui Jincheng and Jiangxi Wanhong. Together, these sites have 12,000 t/yr of rare earth oxide capacity using neodymium-iron-boron scrap as feedstock.

This recycling capacity matters because magnet scrap is becoming a strategic rare earth resource. NdFeB magnets contain neodymium, praseodymium and, in higher-performance grades, heavy rare earths such as dysprosium and terbium.

Recovering these materials from scrap can reduce dependence on mined feedstock and improve supply efficiency. It also supports China’s circular rare earth strategy, especially as demand from electric vehicles, robotics and industrial motors rises.

Market participants said some oxide plants are facing shutdowns or output restrictions because their capacity exceeds government standards. Tighter mining quotas, limited spot availability and higher NdFeB scrap costs have also created pressure in the oxide market.

These conditions favour producers with approved capacity and secure scrap channels. Huahong’s stronger oxide output suggests that recycled feedstock is becoming more important in balancing China’s rare earth supply chain.

The company’s revenue rose by 41% to 7.83bn yuan in 2025, while profit increased by 157% to 204mn yuan. The profit growth shows how higher rare earth prices and stronger magnet demand improved margins across the business.

High-Performance Magnet Demand Drives Capacity Expansion

Huahong’s rare earth magnetic materials output rose by 27% to 15,791t in 2025. Sales increased by 19% to 14,035t, while inventories rose by 29% to 1,042t.

The growth reflects rising demand for high-performance magnets in new energy vehicles, industrial robots, automation systems and energy-saving motors. These sectors require magnets with stronger magnetic performance, thermal stability and reliability.

China produced 16.6mn new energy vehicles in 2025, up 29% from a year earlier. NEV sales rose by 28% to 16.5mn units, supporting demand for high-performance NdFeB magnets used in traction motors, pumps, sensors, braking systems and other vehicle components.

Huahong said high-performance NdFeB magnetic materials accounted for around 42% of China’s total magnet output last year. That share is likely to remain important as vehicles become more electrified, automated and motor-intensive.

Industrial robots also supported magnet demand. Global industrial robot output exceeded 600,000 units in 2025, with compound annual growth above 10%. Robotics growth increases demand for compact, efficient and high-torque motor systems.

Huahong plans to start trial operations at the first phase of its Baotou facility in May-June 2026. The first phase will add 10,000 t/yr of high-performance magnet capacity.

Once the first phase comes on line, Huahong’s total high-performance magnet capacity will reach 20,000 t/yr. This positions the company more deeply in the downstream magnet chain, not only in rare earth oxide recycling.

The expansion shows how China’s rare earth industry is moving toward integrated recycling, oxide production and magnet manufacturing. Companies with access to scrap feedstock and downstream magnet capacity may be better positioned as rare earth supply becomes more regulated.

The Metalnomist Commentary

Huahong’s growth shows that rare earth recycling is no longer a secondary supply story. As NEV and robotics demand rises, NdFeB scrap recovery is becoming a strategic feedstock route for China’s high-performance magnet industry.

EMR and Ionic Technologies Partner on Rare Earth Magnet Recycling Supply Chain

Ionic Technologies

UK Magnet Recycling Gains Momentum with EMR-Ionic Technologies Agreement

EMR and Ionic Technologies partner on rare earth magnet recycling, marking a key development in the UK’s circular economy for critical materials. EMR, a leading UK-based metals recycler, has signed a non-binding supply agreement with Ionic Technologies to deliver end-of-life magnets to its Belfast facility. These magnets will serve as feedstock for Ionic’s rare earth oxide (REO) extraction and separation process.

The Belfast demonstration plant, supported by a £1.7 million grant from the UK’s Advanced Propulsion Centre in 2022, can process 30 tonnes per year of waste magnets to yield up to 10 tonnes of high-purity REOs annually. These include critical materials like neodymium, praseodymium, and dysprosium—essential for electric motors, wind turbines, and defense systems. As EMR and Ionic Technologies partner on rare earth magnet recycling, the project aims to secure domestic REO supply and reduce reliance on Chinese imports.

This latest deal builds on Ionic Technologies’ earlier agreement with South Korea’s DNA Link, which could lead to future REO offtake arrangements. Ionic Technologies, a subsidiary of ASX-listed Ionic Rare Earths, is positioning itself at the forefront of rare earth recycling innovation in Europe. As demand for sustainable and secure REO sources accelerates, EMR and Ionic Technologies partner on rare earth magnet recycling to help meet future supply chain needs.

The Metalnomist Commentary

The EMR-Ionic partnership reflects the strategic pivot toward localised, sustainable sourcing of rare earths. With growing geopolitical tension around REO supply, vertically integrated recycling chains like this one could offer both economic and national security advantages.

IonicRE Rare Earth Oxide Supply to AML Advances US Defence Magnet Chain

Ionic Rare Earth

IonicRE rare earth oxide supply to Advanced Magnet Lab marks a small but strategic step in building a non-China supply route for defence-grade permanent magnets. The Australian rare earths miner, refiner and recycler has started shipping high-purity rare earth oxides from its Belfast recycling facility to the US magnet producer.

IonicRE rare earth oxide supply currently involves kilogram-scale volumes of neodymium, praseodymium and dysprosium oxides. The material has 99.5-99.9% purity and will be used by AML to produce high-grade sintered neodymium-iron-boron magnets for US defence customers.

IonicRE rare earth oxide supply is important because magnet qualification starts with small, tightly controlled shipments. These early volumes help validate chemistry, process compatibility and performance before larger commercial deliveries begin.

The companies are already discussing a second sale of neodymium and dysprosium. They have also signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding for longer-term cooperation, with future commercial volumes likely to reach tonnes in 2027.

Belfast Recycling Turns Magnet Scrap Into Strategic Feedstock

IonicRE’s Belfast facility currently has 10 t/yr of rare earth recycling capacity. While modest, it gives western magnet producers a practical source of recycled rare earth oxides from end-of-life and industrial magnet scrap.

The supply chain includes used NdFeB magnet feedstock from German manufacturer Vacuumschmelze and scrap handler European Metal Recycling. IonicRE also has offtake relationships with automotive companies including Ford, Bentley and Wrightbus.

This structure matters because rare earth recycling can shorten supply chains and improve traceability. It also reduces dependence on newly mined material at a time when rare earth separation and magnet production remain highly concentrated in China.

The company’s planned additional Belfast facility received £12mn from the UK government in January. That plant is expected to produce 400 t/yr of light rare earths neodymium-praseodymium, as well as heavy rare earths dysprosium and terbium, by the first half of 2028.

Dysprosium is particularly important for defence magnets because it helps maintain magnetic performance under heat and stress. That makes recycled heavy rare earth recovery strategically valuable, even at relatively small volumes.

AML Link Connects Recycling to Defence Magnet Production

AML will use IonicRE’s oxides to produce high-grade sintered NdFeB magnets for defence applications. This connects recycled rare earth feedstock directly to one of the most sensitive parts of the US critical minerals supply chain.

The US is trying to secure rare earth permanent magnet supply outside China after Beijing imposed export controls on rare earth permanent magnets in April 2025. China controls about 90% of the supply chain, leaving US defence and industrial users exposed to licensing risk.

IonicRE brings a wider rare earth platform to the partnership. The company owns 60% of Uganda’s Makuutu rare earth project, holds a 50% stake in a Brazilian rare earth refining joint venture with Viridis, and has signed an MoU with US Strategic Metals for a Missouri recycling facility.

That portfolio gives IonicRE several possible feedstock and processing routes. But the AML shipment is important because it moves from strategy into physical supply.

The key challenge now is scale. Kilogram shipments can support qualification, but defence and industrial magnet markets will need repeatable tonne-scale supply, consistent purity and reliable delivery.

If IonicRE and AML can move from pilot volumes to commercial supply, the partnership could become a useful building block in the US rare earth magnet chain. It would also show how recycling can complement mining and refining in reducing China exposure.

The Metalnomist Commentary

This shipment is small in volume but large in strategic meaning. Non-China rare earth supply chains will be built through qualification steps like this, where recycled oxides prove they can become defence-grade magnets.

MP Materials Magnet Campus in Texas Expands US Rare Earth Manufacturing Capacity

MP Materials

MP Materials magnet campus plans in Northlake, Texas, mark a major step in building a larger US rare earth magnet supply chain. The company’s planned “10X” facility will lift its total neodymium-iron-boron magnet production capacity to about 10,000 t/yr.

The MP Materials magnet campus is expected to require more than $1.25bn in investment. Engineering and equipment procurement are already underway, and commissioning is scheduled for 2028. The project strengthens the company’s position as one of the few integrated Western rare earth producers moving from mining and refining into finished magnet production.

The location also carries strategic value. Northlake sits fewer than 10 miles from MP’s existing Independence facility in Fort Worth, allowing the company to build a regional magnet manufacturing cluster with shared industrial infrastructure, workforce development, and supply-chain connectivity.

Texas Incentives Support Domestic Magnet Scale-Up

Texas, Denton County, and the City of Northlake approved an incentive package worth $200mn over a decade. The package includes grants, abatements, and exemptions designed to support one of the most capital-intensive segments of the rare earth value chain.

This support reflects the strategic importance of neodymium-iron-boron magnets. These magnets are used in electric motors, robotics, drones, defense systems, wind power, industrial automation, and advanced electronics. For the US, domestic magnet capacity is becoming a national competitiveness issue as China continues to dominate much of the rare earth processing and magnet manufacturing chain.

The MP Materials magnet campus also expands the company’s role beyond raw material supply. MP describes itself as an integrated magnet producer, with activities spanning mining, refining, metallization, alloying, sintering, finished magnet production, and recycling. That vertical model is important because rare earth supply security depends on every step between ore and magnet-ready components.

Northlake Adds Scale to Fort Worth Magnet Platform

MP’s existing Independence facility in Fort Worth provides the foundation for the Northlake expansion. Independence has 1,000 t/yr of magnet production capacity, with a 2,000 t/yr expansion already underway. That site is also anchored by a partnership with Apple focused on magnet recycling.

The Northlake project adds a much larger scale-up pathway. By targeting about 10,000 t/yr in total neodymium-iron-boron magnet capacity, MP is positioning itself to serve higher-volume demand from automotive, electronics, energy, and defense customers.

Recycling will also become more important as magnet demand grows. Recovered magnets can provide an additional rare earth feedstock stream and reduce pressure on primary supply. In a market exposed to geopolitical risk, recycling can strengthen domestic material resilience and improve traceability.

The Metalnomist Commentary

MP’s Northlake project shows that the US rare earth strategy is shifting from mining announcements to industrial execution. The critical test will be whether domestic magnet production can scale with competitive costs, qualified customers, and reliable feedstock flows.

Geomega to Complete Rare Earth Magnet Recycling Plant in Quebec

Geomega Resources

Advancing Sustainable Rare Earth Supply Through Recycling

Geomega Resources is on track to complete its rare earth magnet recycling plant in Quebec by the end of 2025. The Canadian rare earth elements (REEs) technology provider aims to produce recycled rare earth oxides from a variety of waste feedstocks, including neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnets, bauxite residue, and sulphide tailings. This initiative supports the growing demand for sustainable and secure rare earth supply chains.

Construction of the demonstration plant began in February 2024, with an expected timeline of two years. Originally, the project was scheduled for completion within six months after securing $1.2mn in a 2019 private placement. However, delays extended the timeline, partly due to permitting and development challenges. Geomega has already submitted its environmental permit request and awaits regulatory approval to proceed with commissioning after construction.

In 2019, chief executive Kiril Mugerman estimated operating costs at $3/kg for rare earths, with capital expenditure of $2.6mn to process 1.5 tonnes per day of magnet waste. Once operational, the facility is expected to contribute meaningfully to the recycling of critical materials, reducing dependence on primary mining and addressing environmental concerns related to waste disposal.

Strengthening the North American Rare Earth Ecosystem

The Quebec recycling plant aligns with broader North American efforts to secure rare earth supply chains amid global market concentration. By converting industrial waste into high-purity rare earth oxides, Geomega can help diversify sourcing away from dominant producers and improve regional self-sufficiency. This capability is increasingly vital as industries such as electric vehicles, wind energy, and electronics require stable and sustainable REE supplies.

The Metalnomist Commentary

Geomega’s Quebec project represents a critical step toward a circular economy for rare earths in North America. By recycling high-value magnets and other waste sources, the company not only reduces environmental impacts but also enhances supply chain resilience. If successful, this facility could become a model for scaling rare earth recycling across the region.

Korea Zinc, Alta partner on REE recycling to scale magnet recovery in 2027

Korea Zinc

Korea Zinc, Alta partner on REE recycling to build a new pathway for rare earth supply. The venture will recover rare earth elements from end-of-life permanent magnets. As a result, it targets domestic production of rare earth oxides starting in 2027.

Korea Zinc, Alta partner on REE recycling with an initial capacity of 100 metric tonnes per year. The partners plan to combine Korea Zinc’s metals processing and recycling capabilities with Alta’s mineral separation platform. Meanwhile, the focus on spent magnets aligns with rising demand for NdPr and heavy rare earths in EVs and wind power.

Why end-of-life magnets matter for rare earth supply chains

End-of-life magnets offer a concentrated feedstock compared with many primary ores. The material also bypasses long lead times tied to mine permitting and separation plants. Therefore, magnet recycling can shorten supply chains and reduce exposure to export controls.

Domestic rare earth oxides can support downstream steps like metal-making and magnet manufacturing. However, consistent scrap collection and sorting remains the hard part. As a result, partnerships often succeed or fail based on feedstock access and quality control.

Korea Zinc’s US footprint strengthens the execution case

Korea Zinc already operates US recycling assets through its Pedal Point subsidiary. Those facilities handle electronic waste and related complex streams. Meanwhile, the company has also announced a major US smelter investment in Tennessee, signaling a broader push into local non-ferrous processing.

The Alta partnership fits this strategy by adding rare earths to the recycling value chain. Therefore, the venture could become a platform for scaling beyond the initial 100 t/yr. However, ramp-up will depend on separation yields, impurity management, and customer qualification.

The Metalnomist Commentary

This deal highlights how recycling is becoming the fastest route to non-Chinese rare earth availability. However, success will hinge on building a reliable magnet collection network. The winners will be the teams that control feedstock and produce consistent oxide quality.

UK Critical Minerals Funding Targets Magnets, Processing and Recycling

UK, critical minerals

UK critical minerals funding will provide £50mn for domestic projects spanning rare earth magnet manufacturing, mineral processing, recycling and supply chain development. The package forms part of the government’s broader strategy to reduce dependence on overseas critical material supply.

UK critical minerals funding will allocate £20mn to a new rare earth magnet manufacturing hub, £25mn to a critical minerals accelerator and £5mn to a platform designed to aggregate demand across British industries.

UK critical minerals funding follows around £200mn already committed through other public programmes. The new package signals that the UK is increasingly focusing on downstream processing and manufacturing rather than resource extraction alone.

However, the scale of the funding remains modest compared with the capital required to bring most commercial critical minerals projects into production.

Magnet Manufacturing and Recycling Move Up the Policy Agenda

The £20mn magnet hub will focus on developing, testing and scaling rare earth magnet manufacturing technology.

This is strategically important because permanent magnet production remains one of the most technically demanding stages of the rare earth supply chain.

The hub is also expected to support workforce development and training, addressing the shortage of technical skills needed for magnet production.

Another £25mn will be directed toward a critical minerals accelerator supporting extraction, processing and recycling projects.

Recycling could become particularly important for the UK because domestic mine resources are limited compared with major producing countries. Recovering rare earths and other critical minerals from industrial waste, scrap and end-of-life products can therefore provide an alternative feedstock source.

Companies such as Seloxium are already developing technologies to recover rare earth elements from industrial waste, showing how secondary materials could contribute to future domestic supply.

The strategy also strengthens the case for processing infrastructure capable of converting recovered materials into usable oxides, metals and alloys.

Funding Scale Remains the Key Commercial Challenge

The remaining £5mn will support a platform that aggregates critical mineral demand from multiple industries.

Pooling demand could improve project financing by giving producers and processors clearer visibility over future customers and volumes.

This approach could be useful for sectors such as aerospace, automotive, defence, electronics and energy, where individual companies may struggle to support new supply projects alone.

However, £50mn is unlikely to fund large-scale commercial projects by itself. Even relatively small mining, refining or magnet manufacturing developments can require investment well above £100mn.

The government package is therefore more likely to function as project de-risking capital rather than full financing.

Its success will depend on whether public funding can attract larger private investment and convert pilot technologies into commercially competitive operations.

The UK’s longer-term challenge is to build enough processing and manufacturing scale to justify domestic supply chains while remaining competitive against established Asian producers.

The Metalnomist Commentary

The UK is targeting the right parts of the value chain, particularly magnets, processing and recycling. But £50mn will matter only if it unlocks substantially larger private capital for commercial-scale projects.

HyProMag May Get $92mn for Rare Earth Magnet Recycling

HyProMag

HyProMag Expands Rare Earth Recycling with US Support

HyProMag may receive up to $92mn from the US Export-Import Bank to build a rare earth magnet recycling and production hub in Texas. The proposed financing, with a 10-year repayment term, would support the development of a Dallas-Fort Worth facility capable of processing 750 tonnes of recycled NdFeB magnets annually. The hub will also produce over 800 tonnes of NdFeB co-products.

The project is part of HyProMag’s broader effort to commercialize hydrogen processing of magnet scrap recycling technology across the UK, Germany, and the US. The Texas facility is expected to take five years to commission and operate for 40 years, positioning HyProMag as a key player in securing North American rare earth supply chains.

Strategic Positioning in Critical Raw Materials

HyProMag’s US expansion includes pre-processing facilities in South Carolina and Nevada, which will support the main Texas hub. This network is designed to create a domestic supply chain for recycled rare earth magnets, reducing reliance on primary extraction and overseas suppliers.

Investor Mkango Resources also links the project to its international portfolio, including Malawi’s Songwe Hill rare earths mine and Poland’s Pulawy separation project. Both projects are recognized under the EU Critical Raw Materials Act, highlighting their strategic importance in diversifying global rare earth supply.

The Metalnomist Commentary

HyProMag’s planned Texas hub signals a decisive shift toward circular economy solutions in the rare earth sector. If secured, the $92mn financing would not only strengthen US supply chain independence but also reduce environmental impacts from mining. This move underscores growing geopolitical pressure to secure rare earth materials domestically.

HyProMag Secures Magnet Scrap to Power US Rare Earth Recycling

HyProMag USA

HyProMag secures magnet scrap to underpin a Texas recycling and manufacturing hub. By locking supply with ILS, HyProMag secures magnet scrap from HDDs and other streams. As a result, HyProMag secures magnet scrap that strengthens US NdFeB circularity and reduces import dependence.

Texas hub targets HDDs and high-growth data centers

HyProMag will build a rare earth magnet recycling and manufacturing facility in Dallas–Fort Worth. The project targets HDD recycling as large data centers expand. ILS will stage NdFeB feedstock at Williston and Reno. The sites will collect HDD magnets and other eligible materials.

Capacity and feedstock broaden beyond HDD magnets

The DFW hub is designed for 750 t/yr of recycled sintered NdFeB magnets. It also plans 807 t/yr of NdFeB co-products over a 40-year life. HyProMag has already processed rotors, wind turbine magnets, speaker assemblies, and MRI systems. Therefore, diversified feed unlocks steadier plant utilization and product mix.

HyProMag’s agreement with ILS improves logistics and inventory control. The arrangement secures storage and pre-processing near feed sources. Meanwhile, US siting supports shorter lead times for domestic buyers. This could enhance supply chain resilience for EVs, electronics, and industrial motors.

Downstream customers seek traceable, low-carbon magnet supply. Recycled NdFeB can cut primary mining intensity. In turn, reliable scrap flows help stabilize pricing and delivery. The initiative aligns with growing US policies backing critical material recovery.

The Metalnomist Commentary

This move elevates US magnet circularity at a pivotal time for data-center growth. Watch for offtake deals with motor and storage OEMs; they will determine scale-up pace and pricing power.

HyProMag to triple magnet capacity with US hub-and-spoke expansion

HyProMag

HyProMag to triple magnet capacity as it builds a US hub-and-spoke network. HyProMag to triple magnet capacity by adding sites in Nevada and South Carolina. HyProMag to triple magnet capacity to strengthen rare earth magnet recycling.

DFW hub anchors a national recycling network

HyProMag is advancing a Dallas–Fort Worth hub for NdFeB magnet recycling and manufacturing. The DFW facility will produce 750 t/yr of recycled sintered NdFeB magnets. It will also deliver 807 t/yr of NdFeB co-products over a 40-year life. Commercial operations are scheduled to begin in the first half of 2027.

Spokes in Nevada and South Carolina accelerate feedstock and scale

The company is studying new facilities in Reno and Williston to supply the hub. This hub-and-spoke model reduces logistics and speeds scrap-to-magnet turnaround. The expansion study supports up to four additional magnet production lines. Partner ILS is stockpiling HDD magnet scrap and providing site-sharing at both spokes.

The Metalnomist Commentary

The plan tightens US circular supply for NdFeB magnets as demand rises in EVs, wind, and electronics. Execution risk centers on feedstock continuity and end-market qualification, but early HDD scrap aggregation is a smart hedge.