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 rising demand, there is a growing interest in alternatives to the unsustainable rare earth magnets currently in use. Niron’s Clean Earth Magnet technology will facilitate the mass production of high-performance permanent magnets made entirely from abundant and sustainable 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. 

"The official launch of our commercial pilot plant marks a crucial milestone in creating a dependable domestic source of high-performance magnets essential for US national security, while also paving the way for the next generation of clean energy technologies and sustainable manufacturing," said Rowntree.

By Naila Huseynova