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Honda Ponders Reclaimed Rare Earth Metals for Motor Magnets

Honda Motor Co. is studying a plan to use reclaimed rare earth metals from nickel-metal hydride batteries to make magnets for hybrid vehicle electric motors.
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Honda Motor Co. is studying a plan to use reclaimed rare earth metals from nickel-metal hydride batteries to make magnets for hybrid vehicle electric motors.

The company is partnering with Japan's TDK Corp. and Japan Metals & Chemicals Co. on the project.

In March, Japan Metals began extracting rare earth metals from NiMH batteries collected at Honda dealerships in Japan. The recovered material, which Honda says is more than 99% pure, is being used to make cathodes for new NiMH batteries.

Under the new program, some of the rare earths captured by Japan Metals will be used by TDK to make magnets for propulsion motors. Honda says product tests will begin as soon as the volume of used NiMH batteries is high enough.

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