New project launched in critical materials supply chains

University of Leeds academics Dr Laura Smith, Dr James Van Alstine, and Dr Jonathan Busch have recently launched a new project "Creating a low carbon, environmentally sustainable and socially just value chain for rare earth magnets" funded under Innovate UK's circular critical materials supply chains (CLIMATES) programme, to develop collaborative research and development projects to build resilient supply chains.

The project has been awarded £316,643 from the £15 million CLIMATES programme and brings together collaborators from the University of Hull, and private sector partners Pensana, Polestar and Route2. The project officially started in March 2024 and the consortium will work together to develop a low carbon sustainable supply chain for rare earth magnets, through an assessment of environmental and social impacts across the entire NdFeB magnet value chain.

The University of Leeds team will focus on identifying opportunities to reduce social impacts and enhance social value in the value chain.

Read more about the CLIMATES programme, and the announcement of the funding from our partner Pensana.