Magnet scrap recycler up and running in Germany
HyProMag GmbH has completed its first commissioning runs for the Hydrogen Processing of Magnet Scrap (HPMS) vessel.
This was at Mkango Resources Ltd's rare-earth magnet recycling and manufacturing plant located in Pforzheim, Germany.
The plant consists of a commercial-scale rare-earth sintered magnet recycling and manufacturing line, underpinned by the patented HPMS technology.
HyProMag, a spin-out company from the University of Birmingham, UK, is commercialising the HPMS technology.
Mkango says the plant is fully permitted to produce up to 750t p.a. of neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnets and alloys, and HyProMag GmbH is targeting phased scale-up to this level.
The company says the HPMS vessel produces a high-grade, recycled NdFeB alloy powder for commercial sale and to feed the downstream magnet manufacturing line.
The jet mill for processing NdFeB alloy powder for magnet manufacturing is also said to have been installed, and commissioning will be completed in the coming weeks.
Once fully commissioned, the plant is designed to have a minimum initial capacity of approximately 100t p.s. of NdFeB, increasing to up to ~350t p.a. with multiple shifts.
