The UK’s first rare earth magnet recycling plant in 25 years has just opened in Birmingham, aiming to cut carbon emissions and reduce reliance on imported magnets for applications like EV motors and wind turbines.
https://eandt.theiet.org/2026/01/16/uks-first-rare-earth-magnet-recycling-plant-opens-25-years
Rare earths are critical for many low‑carbon technologies, yet mining and processing are energy‑intensive, environmentally challenging, and dominated by a small number of countries. Recycling could help close the loop but how far can it realistically go, and what does it mean for UK engineers and manufacturers?
I’d be interested in the EngX community’s view on whether this kind of facility is a genuine turning point for sustainable magnet and motor supply chains, or a useful but ultimately niche contribution compared with primary mining and global trade.
For those working in motors, power electronics, magnets, recycling or manufacturing, how big a technical step is this, and what are the main engineering barriers still to be solved?