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Recycling rare earths in Germany to reduce China dependence

05:33

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Karl Harenbrock
June 18, 2026

Europe is seeking to reduce reliance on China for rare earths. New recycling technologies aim to make the EU more self-sufficient by recovering key materials from used magnets, which can support EV growth and a circular economy.

Rare earth elements like neodymium are essential for electric vehicle motors, but supply remains heavily reliant on China.

As demand for EVs grows, new recycling technologies are emerging to recover rare earths from used magnets, supporting a circular economy and reducing dependency on imports.

Startups and manufacturers are racing to scale these solutions, though challenges around sourcing, expertise and global competition persist.

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