The introduction of electromobility causes major challenges as new components and materials enter vehicle recycling. This paper discusses the current developments in the recycling of traction batteries, electric motors, and power electronics, which constitute the key components of (hybrid) electric vehicles. Both technical and ecological aspects are addressed. Beside base metals, all components contain metals that are considered critical by the EU (European Union), e.g., rare earth elements, cobalt, antimony, and palladium. As electromobility is a new trend, no recycling routes have been established at an industrial scale for these components. The implementation is complicated by small return flows and a great variety of vehicle concepts as well as components. Furthermore, drastic changes regarding design and material compositions can be expected over the next decades. Due to hazards and high weights, there is a strong research emphasis on battery recycling. Most pilot-scale or semi-industrial processes focus on the recovery of cobalt, nickel, and copper due to their high value. Electric motors and power electronics can be fed into established recycling routes if they are extracted from the vehicle before shredding.

1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25D3) was reported to induce premature organismal aging in fibroblast growth factor-23 (Fgf23) and klotho deficient mice, which is of main interest as 1,25D3 supplementation of its precursor cholecalciferol is used in basic osteoporosis treatment. We wanted to know if 1,25D3 is able to modulate aging processes on a cellular level in human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC). Effects of 100 nM 1,25D3 on hMSC were analyzed by cell proliferation and apoptosis assay, β-galactosidase staining, VDR and surface marker immunocytochemistry, RT-PCR of 1,25D3-responsive, quiescence- and replicative senescence-associated genes. 1,25D3 treatment significantly inhibited hMSC proliferation and apoptosis after 72 h and delayed the development of replicative senescence in long-term cultures according to β-galactosidase staining and P16 expression. Cell morphology changed from a fibroblast like appearance to broad and rounded shapes. Long term treatment did not induce lineage commitment in terms of osteogenic pathways but maintained their clonogenic capacity, their surface marker characteristics (expression of CD73, CD90, CD105) and their multipotency to develop towards the chondrogenic, adipogenic and osteogenic pathways. In conclusion, 1,25D3 delays replicative senescence in primary hMSC while the pro-aging effects seen in mouse models might mainly be due to elevated systemic phosphate levels, which propagate organismal aging.

During recent years, technological innovations, especially increasing demand on green technologies, resulted in manifold applications using rare earths which lead to a steep increase in their demand. The high demand and the expected supply shortages, additionally triggered by Chinese export restrictions, lead to a significant increase in rare earth prices. This is also triggered by the fact that currently China produces more than 95% of the global rare earth volumes and has therefore effective control over the rare earth market. This steep increase is not only a burden for manufacturers and consumers. It offers the chance to address the problem of today's rare earth supply in more depth and to build up a sustainable rare earth economy in all relevant sectors. The low prices in the past led to a significant waste of resources. Until now, there has been almost no recycling of rare earths. The new prices might be a starting point to build up recycling systems for rare earth compounds. Similarly, science and industry are beginning to conduct research and develop options for a substitution of rare earth.In this context, a research project, commissioned by the Greens/EFA in the European Parliament, was carried out by the Oeko-Institut in October 2010. The focus of this project was to develop a European strategy for a sustainable rare earth economy to reduce dependence on import of rare earths from China. This paper provides key findings of this on reserves of rare earths worldwide and evaluates environmental risks and impacts of rare earths during mining and processing. In addition, this paper gives an overview on applications of rare earths and in particular in consumer electronics used in daily entertainment and communications. It further gives estimates on average amounts of rare earth elements applied in certain types of electronics devices. Although some of the estimates have limitations due to data availability and reliability, the perproduct-figures can serve as a first basis for assessing the recycling potential from these product groups.Recycling of rare earths is not developed on an industrial scale yet. This is mostly due to its dissipative use, the tendency of rare earth elements to move into the slag-phase in smelting processes and -until recently -little economic incentives due to low world market prices. As especially the last point changed tremendously within the last 12 months, general interest in rare earth recycling is increasing. The last section of this contribution summarizes the status quo of activities and research of rare earth recycling. Furthermore, this paper proposes a strategy for developing a rare earth recycling scheme.

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