![\"Magnet\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/germany\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/32.jpg\")
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A plant to recycle and produce rare earth magnets opened in Germany on Tuesday, as Europe seeks to reduce its dependence on China for minerals key to industries from car-making to renewable energy.<\/p>\n
The European Union is aiming to ensure that recycling of strategic materials, including rare earths, covers 25 percent of the bloc\u2019s demand by 2030.<\/p>\n
The new plant \u2014 in the southwest city of Pforzheim and operated by German start-up HyProMag \u2014 is among several such projects being launched in Europe.<\/p>\n
The facility, which aims to produce 750 tonnes of magnets a year by 2028, is \u201can important step towards strengthening Europe\u2019s secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials,\u201d said the company in a statement.<\/p>\n
The plant\u2019s construction was partly funded by the EU as well as the German government.<\/p>\n
Rare earth magnets are used in many products, from electric vehicles to wind turbines and consumer electronics.<\/p>\n
Current European Union demand totals about 20,000 tons a year.<\/p>\n
China, which dominates the rare earths industry, last year dramatically ramped up export curbs on the materials, sending shockwaves through global supply chains.<\/p>\n
HyProMag is a sister company to a British firm which opened a similar facility in Britain in January.<\/p>\n
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