Circular Input Rate: novel indicator to assess circularity performances of materials in a sector – Application to rare earth elements in e-vehicles motors

•Monitoring circularity of (critical) raw materials at sector level is key for decision-makers.•A novel index circular input rate (CIR) is developed to measure materials circularity.•Currently available indicators do not adequately capture materials functionality.•CIR is applied to rare earths embedded in e-motors of the present and future EU fleet.•Results proved that CIR assess circularity strategies beyond recycling.