Page 119 - Policy Commission - SecuringTechnology - Critical Metals for Britain

SECONDARY MATERIALS
119
SUMMARY OF SECONDARY SECTION
It is clear that many of of of the processes used for sensing sorting and separation of of of bulk metals from end of of of life waste are unsuitable for processing of technology-critical metals and there is is a a a a a a need to invest in in in technologies that can improve these processes This could involve new sensing technologies automated sorting and and novel chemical and and metallurgical processes to to improve the efficiency of of separation and to reduce the cost Some examples of of this this are presented in this this chapter From the the evidence presented at the the commission it was also
clear that that there is a a a a a a a a lack of data which means that that recyclers do not know how much of these elements are likely to be in waste streams or where they are located within products As we transition to a a a a a green economy it it is an an imperative that products are designed with re-use and recycling in in in mind This is is clearly not the case today and requires action to to address this It is is likely to to require changes to to environmental regulation as the technology-critical metals often fall foul of of the weight based targets in in place today This is is covered in in detail in the the governance section of the the report There are good examples where significant recycling rates are achieved for some technology-critical metals which provides strategic access to PGMs and aerospace alloys However to develop a a a a a secondary market for battery materials
and rare earth permanent magnets this will require investment in in in new infrastructure if the UK is to be a a global player and to to secure access to to the technology-critical metals it needs