This will be fully explored as part of a new agreement between Pensana and Equinor New Energy with the end-of-life batteries to be recycled using hydrogen at a rate earth hub based in Saltend Chemical Park, UK.

Read more: Plans submitted for 600MW hydrogen production facility in the UK
Read more:
Location confirmed for UK-based 600MW hydrogen production project

As part of this agreement, 4,000 tonnes of end-of-life magnets will be given new life thanks to hydrogen and its ability to recycle these devices.

Recycling permanent magnets utilising hydrogen not as fuel, but as a reductant, whilst benefitting from the decarbonised power supply within Saltend, offers a clean alternative using 88% less energy than virgin magnet manufacture and aligns with Pensana’s continued efforts to produce a sustainable supply chain for these critical materials.

Equinor has submitted plans for its ‘Hydrogen to Humber (H2H) Saltend’ hydrogen production facility into phase two of the Government’s Cluster Sequencing Process.

The facility will be supported by the potential supply of hydrogen to Pensana and other regional hydrogen users, which could be a world first and a catalyst for the Humber to achieve net zero, Pensana said.

Paul Atherley, Chairman of Pensana, said, “We are establishing a world-class, independent and sustainable, rare earth processing facility at Saltend Chemicals Park. We are also looking to process end-of-life magnets from wind turbine nacelles using hydrogen’s properties as a powerful reductant.

“We very much look forward to working with Equinor using hydrogen from the H2H Saltend project in establishing this innovative process route as a key component in the circular economy for rare earth magnets in the UK.”

Making hydrogen happen

This March, H2 View will explore A Climate for Action and Investment in Europe in an immersive event that features some of the leading stakeholders and influencers in hydrogen, as well as a return to in-person networking and the opportunity to meet the Women in Hydrogen driving the agenda forward.

Taking place in Munich, Germany, confirmed speakers already include the Hydrogen Council, Hydrogen Europe, Clean Hydrogen Partnership, FiveT Hydrogen, Airbus, Nel and Michelin.

Further information on the event, agenda and confirmed speakers can be found here.

To book your ticket, click here.