Dr Richard Sheridan is a lecturer in the School of Metallurgy and Materials Science and an expert in processing, recovery and recycling, degradation, and characterisation of rare-earth magnets.

Why are magnets so important in modern technologies?

Magnets, or permanent magnets, are central to electric motors, wind turbines, and many consumer devices, including phones and headphones. These magnets often rely on rare earth elements like neodymium or samarium, enabling high efficiency and power in motors without requiring continuous energy input.

As demand for renewable energy and electric vehicles grows, so does the importance of these powerful magnets.

Are electric vehicles truly more environmentally friendly than petrol cars?

The picture is mixed. While electric vehicles (EVs) emit less over their lifetime, their produc- tion—especially the extraction and processing of materials like cobalt and rare earths—is envi- ronmentally intensive, geopolitically sensitive and expensive. Without strong policy enforcing recycling and recovery of key components
like magnets and batteries, there’s a risk of trading one environmental problem for another. Consumer awareness, manufacturer respon- sibility, and ongoing innovation must work concurrently to achieve true sustainability.

What are the main challenges in recycling magnets from used devices?

The key issue is that magnets are often glued into components using epoxy resins, making them nearly impossible to remove without damaging them or releasing hazardous by- products. In addition, magnet types vary widely between manufacturers and applications, complicating the recycling process. While some progress has been made in recycling neodymium magnets using hydrogen to break them down safely, samarium–cobalt magnets— used in aerospace and harsh environments— remain far more difficult to demagnetise and recycle. Research is ongoing to develop less energy-intensive and more effective recovery methods.

What work is ongoing at Birmingham in this area?

The University’s Centre for Strategic Elements and Critical Materials focuses on rare earth magnet recycling through multidisciplinary research. We developed the Hydrogen Pro- cessing of Magnet Scrap technology to effi- ciently recover materials like neodymium from used magnets. A pilot plant processes up to 100 kg daily, reducing energy use compared to traditional methods. In partnership with HyProMag Ltd, the centre is establishing the UK’s first full-scale rare earth magnet remanu- facturing facility at Tyseley Energy Park, aiming to supply sustainable NdFeB magnets for key industries and promote a circular economy in critical materials.