Building a supply chain for rare earth elements

Catalyst · 25 Apr 2024 · 39m

What this episode covers

Ahmad Ghahreman, CEO and cofounder of Cyclic Materials, explains the critical role of rare earth elements (REEs) in permanent magnets for EVs and wind turbines, noting that China currently controls over 90% of downstream processing. He details Cyclic’s two-step recycling technology, which separates magnets from end-of-life products and converts them into high-purity mixed rare earth oxides, bypassing the environmental issues of virgin mining. Ghahreman argues that recycling can supply 40-50% of global demand by 2030-2032, offering a geopolitically secure alternative to China-dominated supply chains.

Mentioned

Companies
Cyclic Materials, MP Materials, Linus, Vacuum Schmelze, Energy Hub, Bloom Energy
Also
Neodymium, Praseodymium, Dysprosium, Terbium, Samarium

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