Projects

Summary

HARMONY came into being as a response to EU dependence on China in terms of the production of NdFeB magnets, which are essential for technological applications such as wind turbines, electronic devices and electric vehicles. Europe imports around 16 thousand tons of these magnets a year, accounting for 98% of its demand, which makes it vulnerable to prices and supply.

The project, which is spearheaded by Ceit, is developing an innovative, safe and environmentally friendly system for recycling end-of-life NdFeB permanent magnets, taking a closed loop approach that will contribute towards strategic independence and the European circular economy. 

Objectives

HARMONY seeks to develop technologies for the recovery, recycling and remanufacture of rare earth magnets, thus reducing dependence on imports from China and fostering sustainability.  The solutions being developed will enable any type of scrap metal that contains NdFeB magnets to be recycled, contributing towards expanding strategic sectors such as electric vehicles and energy generation.

Ceit’s role

Apart from coordinating the project, Ceit is taking part in the following key areas:

• Production of recycled powder from magnet scrap via gas atomisation. 
• Manufacture of recycled magnets via compression and compaction moulding -+ sintering.
• Ecodesign of an electric generator for Lancor.
• Development of an indirect recycling method using environmentally friendly organic acids as an alternative to strong mineral acids.