A world-leading rare earth magnet recycling facility has opened at Tyseley Energy Park in the West Midlands, signalling a major step forward for the UK’s critical minerals strategy. The facility, developed by the University of Birmingham working with industrial partner HyProMag, uses a pioneering Hydrogen Processing of Magnet Scrap (HPMS) technology to recover rare earth magnets from end-of-life products and turn them into valuable materials for reuse.
Rare earth magnets are essential to many modern technologies, including wind turbines, electric vehicles, medical equipment and robotics. As demand for these magnets grows with the expansion of low-carbon industries, the UK has been heavily dependent on imports for these critical materials. The new facility directly addresses this reliance by creating a domestic source of recycled rare earths that can be used to manufacture new alloys and magnets, reducing supply chain risk.
The plant reintroduces commercial-scale sintered rare earth magnet production to the UK for the first time in 25 years and can recover over 400 kg of rare earth alloy per batch, with an annual capacity of 100 tonnes on a single shift, rising to more than 300 tonnes with extended operation.
From an economic perspective, the facility is expected to create hundreds of well-paid jobs and support skills development in the Midlands, a region with a strong manufacturing heritage. It also serves as a platform for long-term growth in the UK’s critical minerals sector and supports wider industrial innovation.
Environmentally, the hydrogen-based process dramatically lowers carbon emissions compared with traditional mining and processing, aligning with the UK’s net zero and circular economy goals. Overall, this initiative strengthens the UK’s technological leadership, enhances supply chain resilience, and boosts the nation’s green industrial future.
