Niron Breaks Ground on Minnesota Facility for Rare Earth-Free Magnets

Niron Magnetics has begun construction on a 190,000-square-foot manufacturing plant in Sartell, Minnesota, set to produce up to 1,500 tons annually of permanent magnets without using rare-earth elements, relying instead on abundant materials like iron and nitrogen. This facility, expected to be operational by early 2027 and to create 175 full-time jobs, aims to reduce U.S. dependence on imported rare-earth magnets primarily sourced from China, addressing both national security and supply chain concerns. The new plant, situated on the former Verso Paper Mill site, is supported by bipartisan political leaders and investors including Stellantis, Samsung, and Magna, highlighting its significance for automotive, defense, electronics, and energy sectors. Niron Magnetics' technology promises more sustainable production of high-powered magnets critical for electric vehicles, data center cooling, robotics, and drones, contributing to U.S. supply chain independence and economic growth in the industrial Midwest. The project marks a major advancement in commercial magnet manufacturing, being one of the first new magnet materials developed in decades that avoids environmental and geopolitical issues related to rare-earth mining. Local and state officials have celebrated the groundbreaking as a symbol of innovation and economic revitalization in Sartell.