Neodymium Recycling Researchers Recover Up to 98% of Rare Earth Metal From Discarded Magnets

Highlights

• Researchers achieved 90–98% neodymium recovery from discarded hard drive magnets using molten-salt electrolysis with a magnesium electrode.
• The process could reduce climate impacts by up to 85% compared to conventional rare earth production, according to lifecycle projections.
• Estimated production costs of $90 per kilogram at scale depend on electricity prices, equipment performance, and reliable used-magnet supply chains.
• The international study spans institutions in China, Germany, Japan, and the Netherlands, covering electrochemistry, environmental assessment, and industrial ecology.
• Experts warn that Western nations must build their own recycling facilities and collection networks to translate lab breakthroughs into supply chain independence.