On Thursday Aug. 8, Cyclic Materials, an advanced metals recycling company announced the signing of a collaboration agreement for the recycling of electric motors containing rare earths with SYNETIQ, an IAA company and integrated vehicle salvage and recycling company. The motors to be supplied by SYNETIQ include drive motors in hybrid and electric vehicles, as well as auxiliary motors present in all vehicles.
According to the press release, the agreement will advance circularity by recovering rare earth elements from end-of-life vehicle motors, enhancing resource efficiency, and reducing environmental impact.
“This agreement represents a notable step forward in our mission to advance sustainable solutions for rare earth recycling to drive the circular economy forward across the globe,” said Patrick Nee, senior vice president of strategic partnerships and co-founder of Cyclic Materials. “Together, we are committed to accelerating industry-wide change in how electric motors are recycled.”
Nee noted that the relationship marks the company’s first overseas feedstock contract, which is a significant milestone as Cyclic Materials continues to expand its business from North America across Europe.
He added that partnering with SYNETIQ was a no-brainer. “[B}oth companies are committed to circular alternatives, specifically for electric motors,” he said.
Established in 2021, Cyclic Materials develops technologies that transform end-of-life (EOL) products into valuable raw materials. Compared to mining, recycling rare earths delivers significant environmental benefits including a reduced carbon footprint and water usage.
Cyclic Materials recently opened its Kingston-based “Hub100” commercial demonstration plant, deploying its proprietary hydrometallurgical technology, REEPure and helping fulfill the increasing demand for domestic sources of mixed rare earth oxide (MREO) in North America.
Cyclic Materials’ proprietary Mag-Cycle
and REEPure technologies can separate magnets from end-of-life products, such as electric motors, and then convert this magnet product to mixed rare earth oxides, cobalt-nickel hydroxides, and other raw materials. Feedstock from SYNETIQ will be received by Cyclic Materials’ “spoke” facility and processed with Mag-Cycle before ultimately being sent to Cyclic Material’s “Hub100” plant for processing using REEPure technology.
Salvage and dismantling yards, like those operated by SYNETIQ, can maximize the materials and value recovered from hybrid and electric vehicles, as well as smaller motors in internal combustion engine vehicles, through partnerships such as this one with Cyclic Materials.
“We are excited to announce SYNETIQ’s new collaboration with Cyclic Materials,” said Michael Hill, commercial director of SYNETIQ. “At the core of our circular model, this agreement exemplifies our commitment to sustainability, innovation, and responsible practices.”
On Thursday Aug. 8, Cyclic Materials, an advanced metals recycling company announced the signing of...