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Recovering Rare-Earth Magnets from Wind Turbines—A Potential Analysis for Germany

Author

Listed:
  • Anton Jäger

    (Material Flow Management and Resource Economy, Institute IWAR, Technical University of Darmstadt, Franziska-Braun-Str. 7, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany)

  • Zoe Chunyu Miao

    (Material Flow Management and Resource Economy, Institute IWAR, Technical University of Darmstadt, Franziska-Braun-Str. 7, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany)

  • Steffi Weyand

    (Material Flow Management and Resource Economy, Institute IWAR, Technical University of Darmstadt, Franziska-Braun-Str. 7, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany)

Abstract

Wind power forms the major contributor to Germany’s goal of transforming the energy sector and becoming climate-neutral until 2045. The increasing installation of wind turbines comes with an increasing demand for rare-earth elements, especially neodymium, praseodymium and dysprosium, to produce high-performing magnets. However, these elements are considered to be critical raw materials because of their supply risk and economic importance. The European Commission aims to ensure supply chain resilience by improving the circularity of these critical raw materials. After an average of 20 years, wind turbines transition into their End-of-Life phase. This work aims to map the present and future potential of NdFeB magnets used in wind turbines in Germany to be introduced into a circular economy resulting in material amounts of potentially recycled magnets and secondary rare-earth elements considering different potential End-of-Life pathways.

Suggested Citation

  • Anton Jäger & Zoe Chunyu Miao & Steffi Weyand, 2025. "Recovering Rare-Earth Magnets from Wind Turbines—A Potential Analysis for Germany," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(10), pages 1-11, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:10:p:2436-:d:1652480
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Walter Leal Filho & Richard Kotter & Pinar Gökçin Özuyar & Ismaila Rimi Abubakar & João Henrique Paulino Pires Eustachio & Newton R. Matandirotya, 2023. "Understanding Rare Earth Elements as Critical Raw Materials," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-18, January.
    2. Schulze, Rita & Buchert, Matthias, 2016. "Estimates of global REE recycling potentials from NdFeB magnet material," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 12-27.
    3. Robert Kasner & Weronika Kruszelnicka & Patrycja Bałdowska-Witos & Józef Flizikowski & Andrzej Tomporowski, 2020. "Sustainable Wind Power Plant Modernization," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-23, March.
    4. Till Zimmermann & Max Rehberger & Stefan Gößling-Reisemann, 2013. "Material Flows Resulting from Large Scale Deployment of Wind Energy in Germany," Resources, MDPI, vol. 2(3), pages 1-32, August.
    5. Pavel, Claudiu C. & Lacal-Arántegui, Roberto & Marmier, Alain & Schüler, Doris & Tzimas, Evangelos & Buchert, Matthias & Jenseit, Wolfgang & Blagoeva, Darina, 2017. "Substitution strategies for reducing the use of rare earths in wind turbines," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 349-357.
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