As demand for electric motors continues to grow, manufacturers are looking beyond mining to secure the rare earth magnets that power them. A series of new UK initiatives suggests that end of life electric vehicles could become an important source of the materials needed for the next generation of motors. 

The £6.5 million REACT UK project is bringing together manufacturers, recyclers and researchers to recover neodymium iron boron (NdFeB) magnets from end of life hybrid and electric vehicles. The aim is to create a domestic circular supply chain capable of producing automotive grade magnets from recycled materials, helping reduce dependence on imported rare earths while supporting future manufacturing. 

The project reflects a wider shift across Europe, where governments and industry are investing in critical mineral resilience. The UK Government has also launched its new Magnet Hub programme, designed to strengthen domestic rare earth magnet manufacturing, recycling capability and innovation as part of its wider Critical Minerals Programme. 

For manufacturers, this is about far more than sustainability. Permanent magnets remain a critical component in many high performance electric motors, while geopolitical uncertainty and supply chain concentration continue to present commercial risks. Building a reliable secondary source of magnetic materials could improve supply security, support long term production planning and reduce exposure to market volatility. 

For the electrical manufacturing industry, the conversation is shifting from where critical materials come from to how they remain in circulation. Recovering magnets from products already in service could become an increasingly important part of future supply chains. 

This is a topic that will be of growing interest across the CWIEME Berlin community. From motor manufacturers and magnet suppliers to recyclers, material specialists and R&D teams, the industry is exploring new ways to secure critical materials without compromising performance or quality. 

As electrification accelerates across automotive, industrial and energy applications, collaboration across the value chain will be essential. CWIEME Berlin provides a platform for these conversations, bringing together the companies developing advanced motor technologies alongside the suppliers, materials experts and manufacturing specialists helping shape a more resilient future for electrical manufacturing.