A major milestone for the UK’s advanced manufacturing and clean technology sector was reached on January 15 2026 with the official opening of the Tyseley Rare Earth Magnet Recycling and Manufacturing Plant at Tyseley Energy Park, Birmingham.
The facility was formally opened by Chris McDonald MP, Minister for Industry, marking the return of rare earth magnet manufacturing to the UK for the first time in more than 20 years. The project is led by REEsilience project partner HyProMag Ltd, in collaboration with the University of Birmingham, Mkango Resources Ltd, Innovate UK, and a consortium of industry and research partners.
At the heart of the development is HyProMag’s patented Hydrogen Processing of Magnetic Scrap (HPMS) technology, a UK-developed innovation that enables the efficient recycling and remanufacturing of high-performance rare earth magnets. The Tyseley plant represents the successful translation of this home-grown technology from academic research into commercial-scale deployment.
The reopening of domestic magnet manufacturing comes at a critical time, as global demand for rare earth magnets continues to grow rapidly due to their essential role in electric vehicles, wind turbines, electronics, and defence applications. By establishing UK-based production, the project strengthens national resilience and contributes to the development of more secure and sustainable supply chains.
The initiative also reinforces REEsilience project partner University of Birmingham’s position as a centre of excellence for magnetic materials, demonstrating how close collaboration between government, academia, and industry can deliver strategic industrial capability and economic growth.
HyProMag Ltd, the commercial partner for the Tyseley Energy Park development and the exclusive licensee of HPMS technology, is leading the expansion of this capability. Supported by its major shareholder Mkango Resources Ltd, the company is building momentum for further growth within the UK, while also advancing international developments in Germany and the United States through HyProMag GmbH and HyProMag USA in partnership with CoTec Corp.
Additional collaborators, including INSERMA ANOIA SL and Intelligent Lifecycle Solutions Limited, are contributing to the broader ecosystem supporting sustainable magnet production and circular economy principles.