Western Digital, in collaboration with Microsoft, Critical Materials Recycling (CMR), and PedalPoint Recycling, successfully launched an at-scale Hard Disk Drive (HDD) rare earth material capture program in the United States on April 17, 2025. This multi-party pilot transformed approximately 50,000 pounds of shredded end-of-life HDDs into high-value materials.
The program achieved an impressive ~90% high-yield recovery of elemental and rare earth materials, including Neodymium, Praseodymium, and Dysprosium, which are essential for HDDs. This pioneering process also extracts metals like gold, copper, aluminum, and steel, feeding them back into the U.S. supply chain.
This initiative significantly reduces environmental impact, with an estimated 95% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional mining. By performing the entire Rare Earth Oxide (REO) production process domestically, the program minimizes transportation emissions and boosts the resilience of the U.S. supply chain, decreasing dependency on imported materials.
The content on BeyondSPX is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial or investment advice. We are not financial advisors. Consult with a qualified professional before making any investment decisions. Any actions you take based on information from this site are solely at your own risk.