Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 2 hrs ago
Researchers test ways to recover metals from discarded hard drive magnets
Researchers in Germany are testing two ways to recover metals from discarded computer hard drive magnets.
The work is part of the EU-funded NEO-CYCLE project, involving the Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems and TU Bergakademie Freiberg.
The magnets contain neodymium, iron and boron and are used in hard drives as well as electric vehicle motors and wind turbines.
The project aims to recover these materials in forms that can be reused, which is technically challenging.
Fraunhofer says about 90 percent of Europe’s neodymium is imported from China, and some collected magnet waste is sent there for processing.
One method uses ammonium chloride instead of conventional hydrochloric acid, while another uses electrochemical processing to extract boron.
The researchers have completed laboratory tests, and plans for a pilot plant are underway to assess whether the methods can work at a larger scale while limiting chemical and water use.
Researchers in Germany are testing two ways to recover valuable metals from magnets in discarded hard drives.
The work aims to recover neodymium, iron and boron for reuse in industrial applications.
One approach uses ammonium chloride instead of conventional hydrochloric acid, while the other uses electrochemical processing.
The research is part of the European Union-funded NEO-CYCLE project involving Fraunhofer IKTS and TU Bergakademie Freiberg.
Laboratory-scale testing is complete, and plans for a pilot plant are underway.
- Who
- Researchers at Fraunhofer IKTS and TU Bergakademie Freiberg, working on the NEO-CYCLE project.
- What
- They are testing two processes to recover neodymium, iron and boron from discarded hard drive magnets.
- When
- The article was published on November 3, 2026. Laboratory-scale testing has been completed.
- Where
- Germany.
- Why
- To recover high-quality materials for reuse, reduce chemical and water consumption, and make better use of electronic waste.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Researchers completed laboratory-scale testing of the recovery approaches.
Plans for a pilot plant are underway.
- Project
- NEO-CYCLE
- Researchers
- Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems (IKTS) and TU Bergakademie Freiberg
- Materials targeted
- Neodymium, iron and boron
- First process
- Solid-state chlorination using ammonium chloride
- Second process
- Electrochemical processing using powdered magnet waste in an electrochemical cell
- Project duration
- Four years