Honda to recycle rare-earth metals

Honda has partnered Japan Metals and Chemicals to begin extracting rare-earth metals from nickel-metal hydride batteries, such as this one, collected from used hybrid vehicles.

Honda has partnered Japan Metals and Chemicals to begin extracting rare-earth metals from nickel-metal hydride batteries, such as this one, collected from used hybrid vehicles.

Published Apr 17, 2012

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Honda said on Tuesday it would start the world's first mass-production process to extract rare-earth metals from used car partthis month and recycle the expensive materials mainly controlled by China.

Honda has partnered Japan Metals & Chemicals to begin extracting rare-earth metals from nickel-metal hydride batteries collected from used hybrid vehicles at its dealers around the world.

China produces about 95 percent of global rare-earth supplies and has ratcheted up export controls, sending prices soaring.

Honda said the newly developed process enables the extraction of more than 80 percent of rare-earth metals in nickel-metal hydride batteries. It plans to also use the process for other parts, feeding the extracted metals back to its products.

Japanese automakers and other heavy users are researching ways to reduce rare-earth usage or replace the metals, including with the help of government subsidies. - Reuters

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