Project exploring potential for domestic circular supply-chain for ceramic magnets receives funding boost - News

A project to explore the potential for a domestic circular supply-chain for ceramic magnets has received a funding boost.

A pioneering project to explore the potential for a domestic circular supply-chain for ceramic magnets – which could play a significant role in strengthening the green economy – has received a funding boost.

The Strontium Alternative Magnet Innovation Consortium (SrAMIC) has received funding as part of Innovate UK’s CLIMATES programme in collaboration with Geolithical Limited and the University of Exeter.

The funding will allow for a 9-month feasibility study to investigate the potential for a domestic circular supply-chain for high strength strontium ferrite magnets – also known as ceramic magnets.

These magnets have the potential to be used as an alternative to, or complement, the rare earth permanent magnets (REPMs) used in electric vehicle motors and wind turbines.

The project will include experts fromthe University of Exeter’s Penryn Campus, through its pivotal Critical Minerals Centre.

Project Lead Edward Loye says: “The SrAMIC Project will investigate whether we can democratise de-carbonisation by making wind-power and electrical mobility more accessible for people, and less impactful on the environment, by sourcing more readily available raw materials for magnets from waste streams closer to home”.

Hard ferrite magnets are one of the most widely used magnetic materials, found in a range of applications including electric motors, generators, and speakers. Strontium ferrite magnets, which combine strontium carbonate and ferric oxide (rust), are the strongest type of ferrite magnet.

Strontium ferrite magnets have a proven and easily scalable manufacturing process while offering reliable performance and resistance to corrosion at a relatively low-cost compared to other magnets. UK universities Cranfield, Sheffield, and Newcastle have already developed and showcased ferrite motor designs.

Dr Sam Broom Fendley, from the University of Exeter said: “This exciting project is exploring alternatives to rare earth permanent magnets. The strontium carbonate needed in these magnets is relatively rare but can occur naturally in some localities, and can also occur as a waste product of existing mining operations. By documenting these occurrences and testing their purity, we will move towards understanding the availability of alternative supplies of strontium carbonate for the UK.”

Professor Frances Wall, from the Camborne School of Mines added: “This is a great project to have in our Critical Minerals Centre at the University of Exeter. Such an Industry-led project strongly complements our academic expertise and demonstrates the value of applied research to the UK”.

Established manufacturers such as Hitachi Metals/Proterial, TDK, and General Motors are already investigating and integrating ferrite magnets into their designs. SrAMIC project supporters Greenspur based in Teeside are already integrating ferrite magnets into their wind turbine generators.

As well as their lower cost, strontium ferrite magnets have lesser environmental impacts from processing, such as no associated radioactivity, and are less prone to external market pressures, when compared to REPMs. Strontium ferrite magnets could offer a viable substitute in a range of applications especially where functionality is less mass critical.

Jason Moody Chairman of GreenSpur says: We’re excited to support the SrAMIC project, as developing a domestic supply chain for high-strength strontium ferrite magnets aligns perfectly with our mission to enhance sustainability in renewable energy. Non-rare earth magnets are central to GreenSpur generators, reducing supply chain risk and lowering costs for these critical technologies. We also value the project’s emphasis on traceability and circular economy principles, which we believe can significantly reduce the environmental impact of magnet production while making clean energy solutions more accessible and resilient.”

SrAMIC are investigating whether the raw materials for strontium ferrite magnets can be sourced within the UK from readily available scrap steel, strontium deposits, and mine wastes. SrAMIC are developing innovative methods to bypass traditional carbon intensive processing routes of strontium ores (namely celestite). Minviro are undertaking a life cycle assessment (LCA) for SrAMIC to determine whether their approach to strontium ferrite magnet production is more environmentally friendly than both current ferrite and REPM production methods; whilst at the same time developing a unique geochemical ‘fingerprinting’ technique to trace ferrites back to their source.

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