Energy storage rare earth permanent magnet concept

Do rare earth permanent magnets have a supply chain?

This report focuses on the supply chain for rare earth permanent magnets, specifically sintered neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnets, used in clean energy technologies.

Are permanent magnets sustainable?

The high energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions associated with rare earth mining and REO processing are also a concern for the sustainability of the energy transition using downstream products, such as permanent magnets (Binnemans et al., 2013; Kullik, 2019).

Are rare earth elements a key component of high-performance permanent magnets?

Rare earth elements are core components of high-performance permanent magnets crucial in the energy transition. Production of rare earth permanent magnets faces numerous challenges and is often subjected to geopolitics. Addressing the rare earth element supply chain challenges must be critical in achieving clean energy targets in 2050.

What are rare earth magnets?

Rare earth magnets, particularly NdFeB magnets, play a key role in the U.S. economy, including key energy technologies such as wind turbines and electric vehicle motors.

Are rare earth permanent magnets a problem?

Production of rare earth permanent magnets faces numerous challenges and is often subjected to geopolitics. Addressing the rare earth element supply chain challenges must be critical in achieving clean energy targets in 2050. A multi-facet approach incorporating research, investments, and policies will be the future in the rare earth sector.

Is magnet-to-magnet recycling carbon-intensive?

Extraction of rare earths, iron, and other magnet materials is also carbon-intensive relative to magnet-to-magnet recycling. Recycling of magnets, technologies that require smaller magnets or use fewer materials, and process improvements may all be able to reduce these environmental impacts.