The UK has just taken a massive step toward a truly circular future. This week, the University of Birmingham officially opened a state-of-the-art £4.5m recycling facility at Tyseley Energy Park, dedicated to recovering and recycling rare earth magnets – the “hidden gems” that power our green technology.
For the first time in 25 years, sintered magnet manufacturing has returned to the UK. This isn’t just about waste management; it’s about securing the materials we need to power the electric vehicle (EV) revolution and our wind energy future without relying on environmentally damaging mining operations abroad.
The Science of “Green” Magnets
The facility utilises a groundbreaking technology known as HPMS (Hydrogen Processing of Magnet Scrap). Developed and patented by researchers at the University of Birmingham, this process uses hydrogen to break down magnet scrap—found in everything from old hard drives to electric motors—into a high-quality alloy powder.
The result? This powder can be turned directly into brand-new magnets.
Why This is a Game-Changer
By recycling these materials instead of mining them, the process delivers a staggering 90% reduction in CO2 emissions.
Currently, the facility is set to process around 100 tonnes of material per year, with the potential to scale up to 300 tonnes. This reduces the UK’s reliance on imports (particularly from China) and helps build a resilient, homegrown supply chain for the “Critical Minerals” that are essential for our net-zero targets.
Why It Matters
Rare earth magnets are the unsung heroes of the green transition. You can find them in:
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Electric Vehicles: Powering the motors that get us from A to B.
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Wind Turbines: Converting wind into the clean electricity in our homes.
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Consumer Electronics: Keeping our smartphones, speakers, and laptops running.
By closing the loop on these materials, we ensure that the “green” technology of tomorrow doesn’t come at the cost of the planet today.
Take Action: How You Can Help
Circular innovation starts with us! Here is how you can support a circular economy for electronics:
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Don’t Bin It, Bank It: Never throw old electronics in the general waste. Use certified e-waste recycling points to ensure materials like rare earth magnets can be recovered.
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Choose Repairable Tech: When buying new gadgets, look for brands that prioritise “right to repair” and modular designs.
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Support UK Green Tech: Share stories like this! The more we talk about the circular economy, the more investment flows into local, sustainable industries.
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Business Owners: If your business handles large volumes of electronic waste or motors, look into “Urban Mining” partnerships to ensure your scrap becomes someone else’s raw material.