Korean researchers have developed a groundbreaking technology to recover rare earth metals like neodymium (Nd) and dysprosium (Dy) from waste permanent magnets.
Rare earth metals are critical for industries such as electric vehicles, wind power, robotics, and aerospace because of their unique magnetic, electrical, and chemical properties.
However, Korea imports 95% of its key minerals, including rare earths, which makes the country highly dependent on foreign supplies, especially from China.
China dominates the rare earth market and has tightened its grip on exports, creating challenges for countries like Korea.
To address this, Dr. Jae-Woo Choi and his team at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) have developed a new material to efficiently recover rare earth metals from waste, offering a potential solution to this supply problem.
The innovative material, created by combining nanostructured metal-organic structures with polymer-based acrylic fibers, is both economical and highly efficient.
Acrylic fibers are already widely used in Korea, making the technology practical and scalable.
What makes this material special is its remarkable ability to absorb rare earth metals. It can recover up to 468.60 mg of neodymium and 435.13 mg of dysprosium per gram, outperforming all existing materials. This means that industries can now extract these valuable metals more efficiently and at lower costs.
This technology is not limited to waste magnets; it can also recover rare earths from industrial wastewater, such as mine drainage. Additionally, its surface can be easily modified, allowing it to adapt to different waste streams.
By using this material, industries can recycle rare earths from old equipment, reducing reliance on imports and contributing to a more sustainable future. It also aligns with global goals of carbon neutrality by promoting resource recycling and cleaner production processes.
Dr. Choi described the material as a game-changer that could replace traditional recovery methods, offering better performance, cost-effectiveness, and industrial applications. Dr. Youngkyun Jung added that this technology could be expanded to recover other valuable metals, further boosting Korea’s resource independence.
This breakthrough is a major step toward solving rare earth supply challenges while supporting eco-friendly industries and building a sustainable economy.
