Tyseley Energy Park brings together like-minded organisations that are driving the clean growth revolution, using emerging technologies to innovate green tech solutions.
In the third iteration of our member spotlight series, we’re delighted to showcase the work of HyProMag, an organisation which is revolutionising rare earth magnet recycling.
In this blog, we discuss how HyProMag is bringing magnet manufacturing back to the UK for the first time in 25 years, using pioneering technology and a newly opened rare earth magnet recycling facility onsite at Tyseley Energy Park.
Meet HyProMag
HyProMag was founded in 2018 by the late Professor Emeritus Rex Harris, former head of The Magnetic Materials Group, alongside Professor Allan Walton, Dr John Speight and Mr David Kennedy.
This group of leading world experts in the field of rare earth magnetic materials, alloys, and hydrogen technology, brought significant industry experience to the business.
HyProMag’s mission is clear: to develop a full recycled supply chain for rare earth magnets based upon neodymium iron boron (NdFeB).
Rare earth magnet recycling and the HPMS Process
HyProMag uses ground-breaking Hydrogen Processing of Magnet Scrap (HPMS) technology to recover and recycle rare earth magnets from waste streams, it’s an extremely efficient method with a low environmental footprint.
The rare earth group consists of 17 elements, of which a handful are used to make magnets, found across various applications, including: electric vehicles, wind turbines, and computer hard drives to name a few.
The process employs hydrogen to break apart NdFeB magnets to powder, this process also causes demagnetisation, making it easier to extract. It is then purified so that it can be re-processed into new magnetic materials or rare earth alloys.
As a member of Tyseley Energy Park, HyProMag benefits from an ecosystem of leaders in hydrogen innovation, allowing the business to collaborate with its peers that are also pioneering the green technology industry.
The UK’s first rare earth magnet recycling facility in 25 years
At Tyseley Energy Park, we are proud to host the University of Birmingham’s groundbreaking new rare earth magnet recycling facility, which was officially launched on 15th January 2026 by Chris McDonald MP, Minister for Industry in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and the Department for Business and Trade.
This milestone achievement marks a pivotal moment for the UK’s critical minerals landscape, strengthening national resilience by reducing reliance on imported rare earth materials.
Using the University’s innovative Hydrogen Processing of Magnet Scrap (also known as HPMS) technology, the new facility will efficiently extract magnets from a wide range of end‑of‑life products, transforming waste into high‑value materials essential to low‑carbon technologies including electric vehicles, wind turbines, robots, and medical devices. All the while contributing to the circular economy.
The move from a small proof‑of‑concept to a commercial‑scale operation at Tyseley Energy Park represents a major leap forward for HyProMag, not to mention both the West Midlands and the UK.
With the ability to recover more than 400kg of rare earth alloy per batch, processing up to 300 tonnes of sintered magnets annually, the facility brings magnet manufacturing back to Britain for the first time in 25 years.
Crucially, reccling these materials delivers up to a 90% reduction in CO₂ emissions compared to traditional mining and refining, aligning perfectly with our mission at Tyseley Energy Park to accelerate clean energy innovation and support the UK’s transition to a Net Zero economy.
Nick Mann, Managing Director of HyProMag Ltd said: “Since 2020, HyProMag has been working closely with the University of Birmingham’s Magnetic Materials Group to further develop and commercialise their patented recycling technology.
“Expansion of equipment and knowledge keeps pushing the boundaries of what we are achieving and this commercial scale facility at Tyseley is no exception, with results achieved in our commercial runs already exceeding results at the pilot facility.
“HyProMag is well placed to maximise this opportunity and further develop magnet supply opportunities both in the UK and overseas. Our expanding team is excited by this next phase of our development.”
Looking to the future
As a hub for industrial decarbonisation and circular economy activity, at Tyseley Energy Park we’re delighted to enable this work in reshaping the UK’s critical minerals supply chain.
The new facility will not only drive job creation and skills development across the region but also serve as an open‑access resource for industry partners looking to scale sustainable manufacturing.
David Horsfall, Director of Property and Sustainability at Tyseley Energy Park, added: “We’re proud to provide a home for this transformative technology and to contribute to a future where strategic materials are recovered, reused and re‑manufactured right here in the West Midlands, strengthening the UK’s green industrial strategy for decades to come.”
Ready to become part of Tyseley Energy Park’s story? Get in touch here to find out how our collaborative ecosystem can help your business scale-up and become part of the clean growth revolution.