Recovering the “new twin”: Analysis of secondary neodymium sources and recycling potentials in Europe

摘要: Abstract Sustainable management strategies for securing long–term supply of rare earth elements is priority Europe due to a complex and interlinked production chain its dependence on Chinese export. Among elements, neodymium captured most attention essential role in wide spectrum applications including green–energy technologies such as wind turbines electric vehicles. Being complementary primary production, end–of–life recycling would diversify supply, relieve the dominance contrast balance problem. However, at not yet place. In this work, we developed dynamic material flow model investigate stocks flows EU–28 2016. The analysis enabled detailed investigation secondary sources neodymium, which set boundary conditions recovery recycling. We found that roughly up 50% annual demand could be met by domestic if latent potentials were turned into actual capacity. Significant energy savings GHG emissions cut also attained. product design, collection, scrap price issues are obstacles recovery. Thus, unless going beyong those limits, establishing maintaining sustainable will remain problematic.