Rare Earth Recycling: Forecast of Recoverable Nd from Shredder Scrap and Influence of Recycling Rates on Price Volatility

Abstract

This manuscript quantifies the recoverability of the rare earth (RE) element neodymium from shredder scrap during the next two decades and provides a forecast of recycling rates until 2034 based on these calculations. In combination with this forecast, an analysis of historical price and recycling trends for several critical (i.e., platinum group metals, zinc, tantalum, cobalt, antimony, and tungsten) and non-critical materials (i.e., tin, chromium, gold, and copper) results in general conclusions for the future price volatility of REs in dependence on expected recycling rates.