What it is
Light rare earths (LREE) — neodymium, praseodymium, samarium and others — are the bulk of permanent-magnet rare earths used in EV motors and wind-turbine generators.
Why it matters
China refines around 90% of global LREE. EU magnet demand is forecast to grow roughly six-fold by 2035.
Circular challenges
Whether light rare earths re-enters the economy at end-of-life is mostly settled at the design stage. These are the recurring blockers.
Glued and coated
Magnets are usually glued into rotors and coated with nickel — both block easy removal at end-of-life.
Direct reuse beats recycling
Reusing whole magnets where possible saves far more energy than melting and re-separating them, but requires design for disassembly.
Wind-turbine wave
First-generation direct-drive turbines installed in the 2010s are now approaching end-of-life — a one-off scrap pulse with no system to capture it.