Manufacturing high-performance permanent magnets with a share of recycled material
As part of its plans to diversify its activities, drawing on its long-standing know-how and expertise, Orano launched a Magnets programme in 2021 to study and test processes for recycling and manufacturing rare earth permanent magnets. This project gave rise to a new pilot process at the CEA Liten site in Grenoble (Isère), inaugurated in September 2025, combining high magnetic performance for the magnets produced with the recycling of critical materials contained in these strategic components.
Recycling permanent magnets in Europe: a strategic challenge
The production of rare earths and rare-earth permanent magnets takes place mainly outside Europe.
These magnets are used in many applications, some of which are experiencing strong growth, such as wind turbine turbines and electric vehicle drive trains.
This growing demand is putting pressure on primary resources. However, this pressure can be reduced, as used permanent magnets can be recycled. Thus, the recycling of neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnets (the most powerful permanent magnets) appears to be an essential strategic solution for Europe.
It would reduce dependence on primary raw materials (rare earths), reduce dependence on magnet imports, lessen environmental impacts and secure a local, sustainable and circular supply in France and Europe. The incorporation of recycled materials in the
production of NdFeB magnets is therefore a major environmental, economic and strategic challenge.
Key facts
Magnets are everywhere and essential, particularly in electric vehicle traction motors and wind turbines, to name just the most demanding applications related to the energy transition. Although they account for only 1% of the cost of an electric vehicle, Europe's dependence on these magnets is close to 95% and we recycle only 1% of used magnets.
Projects supported by France Relance and Horizon Europe
Orano's Permanent Magnets programme has been selected by France Relance and Horizon Europe. Orano leads two consortia, one French and one European, in which a total of nearly 20 partners are working to accelerate the development of circular solutions in order to diversify the supply channels for high-performance magnets, which are essential for the energy transition. Within these two consortiums, Orano and CEA Liten are combining their expertise and know-how to meet a major technological challenge: developing and implementing short-loop permanent magnet recycling processes capable of producing high-performance magnets.
Best Innovator Award in the ‘Green’ category at the CLEPA - European Association of Automotive Suppliers 2025
Orano's Magnets programme received the Best Innovator Award in the ‘Green’ category at the CLEPA - European Association of Automotive Suppliers 2025 Innovation Awards.
Find out more about the ‘Permanent Magnet Process’ pilot project
The ‘Permanent Magnet Process’ pilot project, launched in September 2025, marks an important milestone in the industrialisation of cutting-edge technological building blocks, contributing to greater European strategic autonomy.
This pilot project for the recycling and manufacture of permanent magnets aims to conduct technical process trials and validate the principle, with a view to meeting the needs of manufacturers in the sector in France and Europe, who will be able to implement
it on an industrial scale.
Orano and CEA inaugurate a pilot line for high-performance permanent – Grenoble (France) on September 19, 2025
Contribution to the Magellan and Magnolia programmes
This pilot line contributes to two consortia:- Magellan is a programme supported by the European Union through the Horizon Europe programme.
- Magnolia is a programme supported by France Relance and BPI France to study, analyse and master two methods of recycling rare earth magnets. It aims to establish a French industrial sector for the recycling and manufacture of rare earth permanent magnets.