ADVERTISING
1.1 million euros in funding for the “MagCycleAM” project with a focus on sustainability
How can high-performance magnets be recycled in an environmentally friendly way and reused in a resource-conserving manner? This question is at the heart of a new research project at the Technical University of Darmstadt. The Volkswagen Foundation is funding the "MagCycleAM" project with a total of approximately 1.1 million euros – of which around 535,800 euros will go directly to TU Darmstadt.
The project is led by Professor Oliver Gutfleisch. Together with the Fraunhofer Institute IWKS in Hanau and the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel, his team is researching how so-called Nd-Fe-B permanent magnets – such as those used in electric motors or wind turbines – can be efficiently recycled and reshaped using additive manufacturing.
Recycling without chemical separation
Currently, old magnets are mostly not reused due to a lack of standardization. This is precisely where the project comes in: Instead of chemically dismantling the magnets, the material will be processed directly into powder using hydrogen atomization or rapid solidification of the melt – entirely without aggressive chemicals. This saves energy, reduces CO₂ emissions, and conserves resources.
Additive manufacturing as a future technology
A unique aspect of the project is the combination of recycling with additive manufacturing – specifically, the 3D printing of magnets. This not only reduces waste but also enables the creation of complex geometries. This opens up new design possibilities, particularly for electric motors, where space-saving and high-performance magnets are essential.
Dr. Lukas Schäfer from the Additive Manufacturing Center (AMC) of TU Darmstadt emphasizes: “With its infrastructure and know-how, TU Darmstadt offers ideal conditions to advance innovative approaches in magnet manufacturing.”
Contribution to the circular economy
The project is part of a new funding initiative by the Volkswagen Foundation on "Circularity with Recycled and Biogenic Raw Materials." The goal is to establish sustainable material cycles and make production processes more environmentally friendly. For Professor Gutfleisch and his team, one thing is clear: the path to a resource-efficient industry leads through intelligent recycling processes and modern manufacturing technologies.
Further information about the project can be found on the TU Darmstadt website:
👉 www.tu-darmstadt.de
(DARMSTADT – RED/TU)
