Re-REwind

Rare earth magnets, based upon neodymium iron boron (NdFeB), are a key component / material in direct drive wind turbines, where they are used in the generator. However these materials are top of the risk register on the UK's critical minerals list. The UK has vast wind resources and as such the government has invested heavily, in particular, in offshore wind turbines where direct drive turbines play a key role. As these turbines reach end of life it will present a significant opportunity as a secondary source for recycling or re-use. The aim of the Re-REwind project is to develop a circular economy for rare earth magnets from end-of-life wind turbines. This additional volume will be critical for not only the UK, but also the global decarbonisation agenda, with this being 'additional' material which can help avoid the upcoming global supply shortfall which is predicted.

This project will look to build the basis for a new complete circular supply chain for these magnets, a completely new industry and sector which the UK currently does not have. To do this, it will tackle several key challenges; firstly how to dismantle the turbines, secondly to develop techniques to safely demagnetise and separate the rare earth magnets from the generators and then how to purify and to recycle the extracted materials back into new NdFeB magnets with properties which can be used in another generator.

The Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult (OREC) will undertake a life cycle, and techno economic assessment, looking at the opportunity for recycled magnets, and critically their CO2 footprint, relative to virgin supply. This will allow the UK to fully understand the additional material which can be supplied, and the competitive advantage these will bring.

All partners are also heavily involved in improving and disseminating industry best practise with regards to the safe handling of magnets. This will look at demagnetisation options, in addition to handling of full assemblies, magnet stacks, and recovered alloy powders.