Mkango Resources' HyProMag Achieves Technical Milestones for Rare Earth Magnet Production.

Mkango Resources and CoTec Holdings have announced technical milestones for HyProMag, a company developing a process to recycle rare earth magnets using Hydrogen Processing of Magnet Scrap (HPMS) technology. The pilot program at the University of Birmingham has produced over 3,500 commercial-grade magnets from various waste streams, with sample magnets provided to commercial partners for testing. The technology aims to produce domestically sourced and recycled rare earth magnets with a minimal carbon footprint in the UK, Germany, and the US.

Title: Ford Struggles with Rare Earth Magnet Supply, Cyclic Materials Invests in Recycling

Ford Motor Company is currently grappling with supply issues of rare earth magnets, a critical component for electric vehicles (EVs) and other advanced technologies. The automaker's CEO, Jim Farley, revealed to Bloomberg News that the company has been experiencing daily challenges due to the shortage of these materials [1]. China, which controls over 90% of global rare earth processing capacity, has imposed new export licensing rules, tightening supply to Western manufacturers [1].

Despite temporary export licenses granted to the top three U.S. automakers, including Ford, by China earlier this month, Ford continues to face difficulties. Farley stated that the company has had to shut down factories and is operating on a "hand-to-mouth" basis [1]. This has led to production halts, such as the recent shutdown of the Explorer SUV at its Chicago plant in May [1].

Meanwhile, Cyclic Materials has announced a significant investment to address the supply chain challenges of rare earth elements. The company plans to establish a $25 million Centre of Excellence for rare earth recycling in Kingston, Ontario, Canada [2]. This facility, spanning over 140,000 square feet, will combine commercial-scale processing with advanced research and development (R&D) to recycle rare earth elements from end-of-life products [2].

The new facility will use Cyclic Materials' proprietary REEPure technology to convert 500 tonnes of magnet-rich feedstock annually into recycled Mixed Rare Earth Oxide (rMREO) [2]. This recycled material will supply key partners within the magnet value chain, including Solvay, under an offtake agreement signed in 2024 [2].

The Centre of Excellence is expected to commence operations in the first quarter of 2026 and create 45 new skilled jobs in the region [2]. The site will also house an advanced R&D center to further optimize processing and scale next-generation technologies [2].

These developments highlight the ongoing efforts by both automakers and recycling companies to mitigate the risks associated with geopolitical tensions and supply concentration in the global rare earth market [2]. The investment by Cyclic Materials underscores the growing importance of recycling and domestic sourcing as a sustainable alternative to traditional mining.

References:
[1] https://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/ford/2025/06/13/ford-struggles-with-supply-of-rare-earth-magnets-ceo-says/84187278007/
[2] https://finance.yahoo.com/news/cyclic-materials-invest-25m-rare-145417786.html