Public Funding for Less Common Metals Limited

Achieving the required step-change improvements in resource efficiency for critical materials for magnets demands significant changes to the way the materials & their production processes are designed. This project aims to demonstrate the viability of using the latest artificial intelligence methods coupled with quantum simulations to rapidly identify improved magnet materials that rely less on critical materials, and use the new capability to enhance an existing commercial material by reducing or removing at least one critical element.

no public description

This project will investigate the feasibility of building a Neodymium Boron Iron (NdFeB) magnet plant in the UK. Initially a market study will be carried out to identify the likely future requirements for such magnets, both in terms of volumes and specifications, with focus on the growing EV industry. A suitable plant to meet these requirements will then be scoped, and the opportunities for using innovative technologies to improve competitiveness will be assessed.

This project will investigate requirements for a competitive UK supply chain for rare earth magnets. Rare earth magnets represent between 40 to 50% of the value of the raw materials for an electric motor. This is a critical component in the production of electric motors and is vital for the UK Road to Zero strategy which will see all new vehicles to be effectively zero emission by 2040\.

Awaiting Public Summary