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Article Review

Review on Rare Earth Permanent Magnet Recycling Technology

희토류 영구자석 재활용 기술 동향 연구

Dongsoo Kim1*
,
Jungshin Kang2
김 동수1*
,
강 정신2
1Nanomaterials Research Division, Korea Institute of Materials Science
2Department of Energy Resources Engineering, Seoul National University
1한국재료연구원 나노재료연구본부
2서울대학교 에너지자원공학과
*Corresponding Author
31 December 2025. pp. 14-28
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Abstract

Rare earth elements possess unique chemical, electrical, magnetic, and luminescent properties that can significantly enhance the performance of existing products even when added in small amounts. Moreover, due to the absence of commercially viable substitutes, these elements hold high strategic value in the Fourth Industrial Revolution and advanced technology sectors. Each element exhibits distinct characteristics, enabling diverse applications of rare earth materials in fields such as smartphones, semiconductors, electric vehicle motors, wind turbines, precision-guided weapons, and other advanced equipment. Among these applications, permanent magnets account for the largest market share. South Korea relies on imports for the majority of neodymium permanent magnets, which are essential components used in electric vehicle production, robotics, consumer electronics and other related applications. However, research on recycling these materials remains insufficient. Therefore, this paper provides an overview and analysis of recent global issues surrounding the rare earth supply chain and current research trends in recycling technologies for rare earth permanent magnets.

Keywords
rare earth elements
supply chain
permanent magnet
recycling
circular economy

희토류 원소들은 독특한 화학적, 전기적, 자성적, 발광적 성질로 인해 소량 첨가만으로 기존 제품의 성능을 월등하게 향상시키고, 상용화 가능한 대체재도 부재하여, 4차산업 및 첨단산업에서 높은 전략적 가치를 가지고 있다. 각 원소마다 고유한 특성을 바탕으로 스마트폰, 반도체, 전기차 모터, 풍력 터빈, 정밀 유도 무기 및 첨단 장비 등 희토류 소재의 응용 분야가 매우 다양한데, 그 중 영구자석이 가장 큰 시장을 차지하고 있다. 한국은 전기차 생산부터 로봇, 가전제품까지 활용되는 가장 중요한 ‘네오디뮴 영구자석’의 대부분을 수입에 의존하고 있다. 하지만, 이에 대한 재활용 연구는 아직 미비한 실정으로, 본 논문에서 최근 희토류 공급망 글로벌 이슈와 희토류 영구자석의 재활용 기술에 대한 연구 동향을 개괄적으로 조사 및 분석하여 보았다.

키워드
희토류
공급망
영구자석
재활용
순환경제
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Information
  • Publisher :The Korean Institute of Resources Recycling
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국자원리싸이클링학회
  • Journal Title :Resources Recycling
  • Journal Title(Ko) :자원리싸이클링
  • Volume : 34
  • No :6
  • Pages :14-28
  • Received Date : 2025-11-24
  • Revised Date : 2025-12-11
  • Accepted Date : 2025-12-16
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.7844/kirr.2025.34.6.14
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