Sakata INX signs joint research deal with NDFEB on magnet manufacturing

Sakata INX Corporation has signed a joint research agreement with NDFEB Corporation to develop neodymium magnet manufacturing methods. The project aims to cut material losses, improve molding stability, and reach neodymium magnet magnetic characteristics stronger than currently possible, with the companies working toward a next-generation manufacturing process for commercialization. Dr. Masato Sagawa, inventor of neodymium magnets and Representative Director of NDFEB, has been appointed Outside Technology Advisor to Sakata INX for the project.

Key facts

Market context

Neodymium magnets are rare-earth permanent magnets based on neodymium, iron and boron, valued for their high magnetic strength relative to their size. They are used in electric motors, generators, sensors and actuators, so demand is driven largely by electric vehicles, industrial and service robots, home appliances and medical equipment. Manufacturing typically involves powder pressing or molding, sintering and machining, and material lost during cutting and shaping adds cost, since rare-earth inputs are expensive and supply is concentrated in a small number of countries. Improvements that reduce scrap, stabilize molding and raise achievable magnetic performance can therefore affect unit costs and the material efficiency of magnet producers. Such process work is usually slow to reach commercial scale, so its near-term effect on supply and pricing tends to be limited, but it can shape competitive positions among magnet makers and their downstream motor suppliers over time.

Source: official release on inx.co.jp. Summary and context written by Market Krystal.