A research team at TU Bergakademie Freiberg is investigating a sustainable method to recycle rare earth metals from hydrogen electrolysis cells. These cells are crucial for the future of energy production due to the high demand for rare earth metals like scandium, lanthanum, and cerium. The team has developed a hydrometallurgical recycling process to extract these metals from used electrodes, allowing for their reuse in new cells. This environmentally friendly approach involves mechanically separating the electrodes from solid electrolytes and using acids to leach the rare earth metals. The separated metals are then recycled using eco-friendly chemicals. The project, conducted in collaboration with industry partners, aims to develop a technology that will return recycled metals to the material cycle, reducing the environmental impact of hydrogen production waste. The research results, published in the Journal of Sustainable Metallurgy, highlight the successful demonstration of the recycling method in the laboratory. The team is working to scale up the process and validate the hydrogen production technology under real operating conditions. This innovative approach not only promotes sustainability but also contributes to the advancement of circular economy principles in the energy sector.