US launches pilot plant for rare earth-free permanent magnet production

A Minnesota-based company is making waves in the magnet industry with the opening of its commercial pilot plant in Minneapolis.

Niron Magnets’ facility in Minneapolis aims to create a sustainable alternative to rare earth permanent magnets, which are crucial for various technologies, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.  

The company asserts that its manufacturing process merges advancements in nanomaterial engineering with established metallurgical techniques, enabling the production of high-performance magnets at a more consistent cost compared to traditional alternatives. Niron also emphasizes that its technology is the first and only high-performance permanent magnet that does not rely on rare earth elements.

The company asserts that these magnets are made from iron and nitrogen - two plentiful, safe, and non-toxic materials that can be sustainably sourced within the US.  

Additionally, Niron points out that nearly 90 per cent of all powerful permanent magnets are currently produced in China, creating significant national security risks and environmental challenges associated with this crucial technology. The company emphasized that permanent magnets play an increasingly crucial yet often overlooked role in contemporary technologies. Everyday devices, including computers, appliances, and vehicles, rely on permanent-magnet motors to convert electricity into motion.  

"In electricity generation, permanent magnets are essential components of generators," stated Niron.  

“With increasing demand, there has been a growing interest in alternatives to the unsustainable rare earth magnets being used today. Niron’s Clean Earth Magnet technology will enable mass production of high performance permanent magnets based entirely on abundant, sustainable input materials,” the company added. 

Jonathan Rowntree, CEO of Niron Magnetics, expressed that the company is revolutionizing the magnet industry with a sustainable technology developed in the US. 

"With the official opening of our commercial pilot plant, we’ve taken a significant step towards establishing a reliable, domestic supply of high-performance magnets critical for US national security, while launching the next generation of clean energy technologies and sustainable manufacturing," said Rowntree.

By Naila Huseynova