- Western Digital (WDC, Financial), in partnership with Microsoft and others, has launched a rare earth element (REE) recycling program.
- The program achieved approximately 90% recovery of valuable REEs and reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 95% compared to traditional mining.
- This initiative addresses the U.S.'s reliance on foreign REE production by strengthening domestic recycling and supply chains.
Western Digital (WDC), alongside Microsoft, Critical Materials Recycling, and PedalPoint Recycling, has successfully initiated a pioneering rare earth element recovery program in the United States. This innovative project managed to transform around 50,000 pounds of end-of-life hard disk drives (HDDs) and associated materials into high-value resources utilizing environmentally friendly processes. Notably, this pilot program accomplished a high-yield recovery rate of approximately 90% for elements such as Neodymium, Praseodymium, and Dysprosium, while also recapturing about 80% of the total feedstock mass.
The recycling program employs an acid-free dissolution technology, resulting in a significant estimated 95% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional mining practices. This domestic effort is crucial, considering that over 85% of global rare earth element production takes place outside of the United States, with the domestic recycling rate languishing below 10%. By recapturing critical materials essential for industries like electric vehicles, wind turbines, and advanced electronics, Western Digital is bolstering the U.S. supply chain and contributing to environmental sustainability.
Microsoft's involvement in the program provides a symbiotic benefit, as their data centers serve as a source of end-of-life HDDs for recycling. This collaboration marks a significant stride towards the creation of a sustainable and closed-loop supply chain in the U.S., reducing reliance on imported materials and minimizing environmental impact. The program's success signals a potential shift in domestic recycling strategies that could lessen the need for virgin material mining and strengthen overall supply chain resilience.
