Niron Magnetics Breaks Ground on Rare‑Earth‑Free Plant

Niron Magnetics has started construction on a 1,500‑ton‑per‑year permanent magnet manufacturing facility in Sartell, Minnesota, built on the former Verso Paper Mill site.

After nearly a decade of R&D with the U.S. Department of Energy and the University of Minnesota, the company scaled an iron‑nitride magnet material that achieves high magnetization without rare‑earth elements. The 190,000‑square‑foot plant, slated to begin operations in early 2027, is expected to create more than 175 full‑time jobs in manufacturing, engineering, and operations while redeveloping a designated coal community property.

The facility targets applications ranging from data center cooling pumps and automotive motors to robotics, consumer electronics, defense systems, and drones. Because the magnets are produced from abundant iron and nitrogen rather than critical rare earths, the technology promises a more resilient domestic supply chain amid geopolitical pressures on existing rare‑earth sources.

Niron’s commercial pilot plant opened in Minneapolis in 2024, and customers and partners sampling the product include Stellantis, Samsung, Allison Transmission, and Magna. Wood is providing EPCM and technical advisory services, with Ryan Companies as general contractor and Ryan A+E as architect. The project aims to scale a homegrown magnet alternative for diverse U.S. industries.