Vattenfall Sets Ambitious 100% Recycling Target for Wind Turbine Magnets, Enhancing Sustainability Efforts

Vattenfall Sets Ambitious 100% Recycling Target for Wind Turbine Magnets, Enhancing Sustainability Efforts

(IN BRIEF) Vattenfall has announced a new sustainability goal to ensure 100% circular recycling of permanent magnets from its wind turbines, starting with decommissioned units from 2030. This initiative aims to address the environmental and supply challenges associated with rare earth elements in these magnets. The company is collaborating with CAREMAG in France and Cyclic Materials in North America to develop recycling technologies. This move builds on Vattenfall’s earlier commitment to recycle 100% of wind turbine blades by 2030 and supports its broader goal of reaching net zero climate targets by 2040.

(PRESS RELEASE) STOCKHOLM, 5-Sep-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — Vattenfall has taken a groundbreaking step in sustainability with its latest initiative to achieve a 100% circular economy for permanent magnets from its wind farms, starting with those decommissioned from 2030. This ambitious target positions Vattenfall as a pioneer in the renewable energy sector, setting a new standard for the lifecycle management of critical components in wind turbines.

Permanent magnets, essential for the operation of direct drive wind turbines, contain rare earth elements that are both valuable and increasingly scarce. Vattenfall’s commitment to circularity aims to address the environmental and geopolitical challenges associated with these materials by focusing on their reuse, refurbishment, and recycling.

Eva Julius-Philipp, Director of Environment & Sustainability at Vattenfall BA Wind, emphasized the significance of this initiative: “Our goal to ensure a 100% circular outflow of permanent magnets reflects our commitment to reducing waste, conserving material value, and promoting responsible sourcing. This proactive approach will help us manage the challenges of tomorrow and align with the EU Critical Raw Materials Act.”

While large-scale waste from wind turbine decommissioning is not expected until the mid-2030s, Vattenfall is already forging strategic partnerships to establish effective recycling processes. Collaborations with CAREMAG in France and Cyclic Materials in North America will support the development of advanced technologies for recovering rare earth elements and integrating them back into the supply chain.

This circular economy target for permanent magnets complements Vattenfall’s earlier commitment to recycle 100% of decommissioned wind turbine blades by 2030, reinforcing its dedication to comprehensive sustainability. By leading the way in these initiatives, Vattenfall is not only advancing its own sustainability goals but also setting a precedent for the broader wind energy industry.

As part of its broader strategy to reach net zero climate targets by 2040, Vattenfall’s circular economy efforts are integral to its mission of reducing environmental impact and enhancing resource efficiency.

About CAREMAG

CAREMAG is the pioneer of the recycling of rare-earth permanent magnets from end-of-life equipment in Europe. In our project in Lacq in the South-West of France, we aim to recycle 2,000 tons of magnets and separate 5,000 tons of heavy rare earth concentrates from mining, setting a new standard in ESG practices. CAREMAG is a subsidiary of CARESTER, which is the reference partner for companies in the rare earth industry. Learn more about us at www.carester.fr 

About Cyclic Materials

Established in 2021, Cyclic Materials is a cleantech company creating a circular supply chain for rare earth elements and other materials critical to supporting the energy transition. Through its innovative technology, the company economically, sustainably and domestically transforms end-of-life products into valuable raw materials that are essential to the production of electric vehicles, wind turbines and motors for the electronics we use in our daily lives. In 2024, Cyclic opened its Hub100 plant in Kingston, Ontario – the first facility to produce recycled Mixed Rare Earth Oxide (rMREO) in North America using its proprietary hydrometallurgical technology, REEPure™. With the global market for magnet rare earth elements forecasted to increase dramatically by 2030, establishing new sources of these critical elements is vital to support the electrification of the economy across the globe. Cyclic plans to scale its technology in North America, Europe and Asia. To learn more, visit cyclicmaterials.earth.

Importance of Recycling Permanent Magnets and Rare Earth Elements

Permanent magnets with rare earth elements (REEs) are vital for wind turbine generators, especially neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnets used in direct-drive turbines which are increasingly preferred due to their higher reliability and lower maintenance compared to gear-driven systems.

Mining of REEs often happens in countries with weak regulations which can lead to human rights issues, poor working conditions, and environmental damage like radioactive waste. Dependence on a few countries, mainly China, for REEs creates supply and geopolitical risks.

Recycling REEs from decommissioned turbines conserves these materials, reduces environmental & social impact, and ensures a stable supply, making wind energy more sustainable and cost-effective.

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Source: Vattenfall AB