re-Earth

As the UK accelerates the transition to electric vehicles, renewable energy, and advanced digital technologies, the demand for rare earth elements (REEs) continues to grow. These critical materials are essential for permanent magnets, electric motors, power electronics, and many other high-value technologies. However, when electronic equipment reaches the end of its life, rare earth elements are rarely recovered. Instead, they are often lost through disposal or inefficient recycling processes, increasing reliance on imported raw materials and placing additional pressure on global supply chains.

Many manufacturers and recyclers lack practical tools to identify the most effective recovery pathways for rare earth-containing electronic waste. As a result, valuable materials remain unrecovered, while potentially recyclable components are frequently treated as general waste. Despite their strategic importance, it is estimated that less than 1% of rare earth elements are currently recycled into new products worldwide, representing a significant opportunity to improve resource efficiency and strengthen material security.

Re-Earth aims to address this challenge by developing an innovative digital decision-support platform that enables manufacturers and recyclers to make informed, data-driven decisions on the recovery of rare earth elements from power electronics waste. By integrating technical, environmental, and economic considerations into a single, easy-to-use platform, Re-Earth will help identify the most sustainable and cost-effective recycling pathways. The project will support the transition towards a more circular economy, reduce dependence on primary rare earth resources, and enhance the resilience of the UK's critical materials supply chain.

ReEarth is an AI-driven digital decision support platform designed to help SME manufacturers optimise rare earth element recycling. Key innovations of ReEarth include:

• A dynamic database of recycling processes that includes recovery rate, cost, carbon emissions, and energy consumption.
• An economic and environmental modelling to assess viability and sustainability of recycling processes.
• Automating recommendation.

The first version of the Re-Earth platform is under development. We invite businesses interested in the platform to get in touch and explore collaboration opportunities.