By using the magnets found in end-of-use products as a feedstock, Urban Mining Company (UMC) has patented a process whereby they are able to reprocess the scrap magnets into new, custom made magnets. UMC’s magnets not only come with improved properties compared to the starting material, the fact that UMC uses recycled magnet as feedstock allows them to protect themselves from raw material price fluctuations that plague the rest of the market. This process is known as Magnet-to-Magnet™, or M2M™. Being able to produce magnets in this way reduces energy consumption, the impact on the environment, as well as the landfill space occupied by end-of-use magnets.

Photo by Terence Wright on Flickr.