Minnesota Plant to Scale Rare-Earth-Free Magnets

Niron Magnetics broke ground Friday on a 190,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Sartell, Minnesota, signaling a move from pilot production to commercial scale.
The site is designed to produce about 1,500 tons annually of permanent magnets made from iron and nitrogen, avoiding costly and environmentally damaging rare earth materials. Company leaders say the technology could help reduce U.S. dependence on China, which currently dominates permanent magnet supply.
About 300 people attended the ceremony, including Governor Tim Walz and U.S. Representatives Betty McCollum and Tom Emmer, reflecting bipartisan political support. Automaker Stellantis is among industrial partners testing the magnets for future vehicles.
The magnet technology originated from research at the University of Minnesota with early funding from the U.S. Department of Energy. Niron plans to have initial magnets on the market early next year, with the Sartell plant fully operational by 2027. Executives also said they are evaluating a larger facility to further increase output.
Company officials framed the project as a strategic, sustainable alternative for electronics and electric vehicles, emphasizing scalability and supply-chain resilience as key benefits.