What it is
Boron is a metalloid used in borosilicate glass, ceramics, agricultural micronutrients, and — critically — in neodymium-iron-boron permanent magnets.
Why it matters
Turkey holds roughly three quarters of global reserves. Demand from wind turbines, EV motors, and energy storage is rising fast.
Circular challenges
Whether boron re-enters the economy at end-of-life is mostly settled at the design stage. These are the recurring blockers.
Magnets are sintered
NdFeB magnets are sintered blocks with boron chemically bound in; recycling requires hydrogen decrepitation or chemical separation, which few facilities operate at scale.
Glass cullet limits
Borosilicate glass can be recycled, but only with other borosilicate — mixed with regular container glass it ruins the batch.
Agricultural loss
Boron applied as fertiliser leaves the cycle through soil and runoff; it cannot meaningfully be recovered.