The electric motor recycling industry is at a crossroads. As recyclers manage legacy motors designed decades ago, they face labor-intensive, hazardous, and inconsistent processes. Materials are difficult to separate, magnets are hard to extract, and disassembly methods vary widely between motor types. Recovering valuable elements—like copper, aluminum, or rare earth magnets—often requires chemical treatment or destruction of components.
Yet in the push toward electrification and sustainability, recycling is no longer a nice-to-have. It’s a necessity.
At ECM, we believe circular design must begin at the drawing board. Our patented PCB Stator motor architecture, designed using PrintStator software, isn’t just efficient to operate—it’s radically simpler to recycle. And it doesn’t require new harvesting methods.
Challenge: What Recyclers Are Up Against
Electric motors can yield valuable materials—but getting to them is costly. Based on average scrap values and weight content, a typical 100 lb motor might contain:
| Metal | Scrap Value per Pound | Weight Content | Scrap Value (100 lb Motor) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steel (Electrical, cast iron) | $0.03–$0.05 | 80% | $2.40–$4.00 |
| Copper(Magnet Wire) | $0.75–$3.41 | 10% | $7.50–$34.10 |
| Aluminum | $1.16–$1.38 | 6% | $6.96–$8.28 |
| Stainless Steel | $0.30–$1.08 | 3% | $0.90–$3.24 |
| Rare Earth Magnets (Neodymium) | $23.00–$64.00 | 1% | $23.00–$64.00 |
Yet magnets are notoriously difficult to extract. Internal permanent magnet (IPM) rotors often epoxy the magnets into steel laminations. Recovery typically involves acid dissolution or hydrogen decrepitation. These are destructive, energy-intensive processes that introduce contamination risk.
Even separating magnet types (e.g., neodymium vs. ferrite) poses problems. Most look identical and are attracted to each other and to surrounding steel. As a result, magnets often end up in the steel stream.
Solution: ECM Motors Are Designed for a Smarter End-of-Life
At ECM, we believe circularity starts at the design stage, not the scrapyard. While many recyclers won’t encounter ECM PCB Stator motors for another 20+ years, our architecture already considers disassembly, material recovery, and lifecycle impact.
Unlike traditional motors that rely on heavy encapsulation or require destructive force for disassembly, ECM motors are designed for easy teardown. Fasteners and non-encapsulating adhesives are applied where appropriate, enabling clean separation of copper, aluminum, and magnet assemblies without the need for melting, cutting, or hazardous chemicals.
But we take it further. ECM’s open motor architecture gives customers more control over the mechanical design of their motors. That means manufacturers can intentionally design for recyclability, adjusting materials and assembly methods based on cost targets, sustainability goals, or downstream requirements. You’re not locked into legacy OEM structures that ignore end-of-life realities.
Even in cases where adhesives are used, ECM’s axial design allows for magnet recovery using solvent-assisted techniques rather than high-heat or acid-based processing. Components can be separated cleanly, whether manually or through automated systems, preserving material purity and reducing environmental impact.
In short, ECM motors give partners the flexibility to balance performance, cost, and end-of-life outcomes—supporting a more circular future for electric machines.
“At ECM, we design with the end in mind. Our software-driven approach lets us align with each customer’s sustainability goals from day one—making disassembly, material recovery, and circularity part of the DFM process.”
Mark Puglia, ECM Director of Product Engineering
Electric Motor Recycling: A Smarter Path Toward Circularity
The path to a circular motor economy doesn’t start at end-of-life—it starts with design. ECM motors offer a cleaner, simpler recovery process while delivering best-in-class operational efficiency during use. Our architecture reduces the need for raw materials, simplifies recycling, and enables downstream partners to reclaim high-value elements without reinventing the wheel.
In a world where electric motor use is set to double by 2040, ECM is helping define a smarter, more sustainable path forward.
Interested in the future of recyclable motor design? Connect with us to explore custom motor solutions that align with your sustainability goals.
See our simple assembly process video here
