Rare Earth Permanent Magnets
Technology and Applications
Sintered rare earth permanent magnets are the strongest type of permanent magnets available. The two main types are neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnets and samarium-cobalt (SmCo) magnets.
- NdFeB magnets: Strongest commercially available permanent magnets; used in EV motors, wind turbine generators, hard disk drives, MRI machines, and consumer electronics
- SmCo magnets: Higher temperature resistance; used in defence applications (missile guidance, radar systems), aerospace, and high-temperature industrial environments
- A single electric vehicle requires 1-2 kg of NdFeB magnets for its motor; a direct-drive offshore wind turbine uses approximately 600 kg per MW of capacity
- The global REPM market is estimated at approximately $20 billion (2025) and projected to grow to $35-40 billion by 2030
- Processing chain: Ore → Concentrate → Separated Rare Earth Oxides → Rare Earth Metals → Alloy Powder → Sintered Magnet — China controls each stage
- IREL's new plant in Visakhapatnam will produce samarium-cobalt magnets using indigenous technology
● Tracked since February 10, 2026 · last seen May 15, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
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