Niron Magnetics, the upstart developer of high-performance rare-earth-free iron nitride permanent magnets, is blazing an enterprising path as it builds fresh alliances toward scaling up for rapid growth. Fresh moves from the Minneapolis-based company include:
- Enabling new motor designs with disruptive high-torque motor developer Bimotal
- Teaming up with Italian audio company Faital to design “sustainable” loudspeakers
- Working with Indian e-bike company MATTER on a variable flux motor
- Establishing an office in Washington, DC to build relations toward government-sponsored programs in support of domestically secure permanent magnet supply chains
With Berkeley, California-based Bimotal, a developer of ultra-compact, high-torque motor systems, Niron is collaborating to develop next-generation electric motor designs for mobility and robotics applications. Bimotal’s Elevate motor system for e-bike retrofitting was recognized as a TIME Best Invention in 2024, and Niron’s iron nitride magnet technology earned the same distinction in 2023.
“Bimotal’s customers, particularly in the robotics sector, are increasingly seeking powertrain solutions that can be fully sourced in the United States without performance compromises,” said Toby Ricco, CEO. “By working directly with Niron Magnetics, we are developing state-of-the-art solutions that look to resolve a number of operational and supply chain challenges. We are committed to pushing the limits of what’s possible in electric motor design.”
“We are pleased to work with Bimotal to develop the next generation of mobility solutions,” said Jonathan Rowntree, CEO of Niron. “This collaboration represents progress in demonstrating what Iron Nitride can achieve and suggests that these high-performance motors no longer need to rely on fragile rare earth supply chains. For manufacturers, it indicates that a viable alternative is emerging in next-generation platforms.”
The high torque density achieved by Bimotal is made possible with proprietary gearbox layouts, highly optimized motors and power electronics, says the company. “We wrote our own finite element code to simulate millions of motor designs. We selected the best motor of 85 million iterations for our flagship powertrain design. Comparatively, Tesla’s Model 3 motor initially underwent two million.”
With Italian loudspeaker manufacturer Faital, Niron is developing new professional audio loudspeakers under the Italian company’s FaitalPRO brand, designed to deliver strong acoustic performance while eliminating rare-earth dependencies. Designs were unveiled early this year at leading audio shows in Europe and North America.
Permanent magnets play a critical role in audio transducers and FaitalPRO has developed two professional audio loudspeakers, an 8 and 10-inch, specifically designed to integrate iron nitride magnet technology. The project successfully met its primary objective of demonstrating that rare-earth-free magnet solutions can fully meet and exceed the expectations in professional loudspeaker applications.
“This collaboration demonstrates that sustainable innovation doesn’t require performance compromises,” commented Rowntree. “Our Iron Nitride permanent magnets enable speaker manufacturers to reduce dependence on rare-earth supply chains while delivering the acoustic quality expected in demanding professional audio applications. This project with FaitalPRO is just the beginning of demonstrating the real-world applications of our technology.”
With e-mobility company MATTER of India, collaboration is focused on a variable flux motor for MATTER’s flagship AERA which is billed as the world’s first manufactured geared electric motorbike. The innovation lies in the synergy between the motor design and the magnet material.
The iron nitride magnets are designed into the motor’s variable flux architecture to optimize the magnetic field in real-time. This allows the motor to achieve high torque at low speeds for acceleration and high efficiency at high speeds for cruising, a balance that is often difficult to achieve in standard permanent magnet motors. As part of the exploratory process, the companies aim to unlock significant improvements in torque delivery, efficiency across speed ranges, acceleration and riding range.
“MATTER’s pursuit has always been to build future-ready electric mobility solutions that deliver unmatched performance while strengthening India’s technological independence. Niron Magnetics’ Iron Nitride technology represents a step-change in what electric motors can achieve, and together we see the opportunity to redefine propulsion for two-wheelers globally,” said Prasad Telikapalli, founder and Group CTO.
“Unlike conventional electric motors,” notes Mohal Lalbhai, founder and CEO of MATTER, “VFMs eliminate the fundamental trade-off between low-speed torque and high-speed efficiency. For electric motorcycles, this translates into faster acceleration, superior controllability in city conditions, efficient cruising, and improved thermal stability, all of which are crucial for India’s dynamic mobility landscape.”
“Working with MATTER allows us to demonstrate how Iron Nitride can unlock new frontiers in high-performance e-mobility,” notes Rowntree. “MATTER’s technology-first approach and deep understanding of powertrain engineering ideally position them to help us bring rare-earth-free magnet innovation to production-scale applications.”
Opening the office in Washington, D.C. was announced on Feb. 11 as a move to work more closely with the federal government on reducing America’s dependence on foreign permanent magnets. Niron says that it seeks to leverage its technology to become a central partner in U.S. efforts to secure domestic magnet supply chains for critical applications including motor vehicles, defense systems and consumer electronics. The presence comes as federal agencies pursue a comprehensive strategy to secure critical magnet supply chains through multiple pathways.
“We’ve reached an inflection point where our rare-earth-free magnet technology is ready for large-scale deployment, perfectly aligned with Washington’s growing urgency around domestic permanent magnet security,” said Mark Schramek, VP, Government Affairs. “Opening our D.C. office allows us to engage directly with decision-makers crafting the next generation of manufacturing incentives and supply chain policies. Our online manufacturing pilot plant proves we can deliver on the technology; now we need to ensure the policy infrastructure supports domestic manufacturing at this scale.”
“The establishment of our Washington office is the next crucial step in our mission to advance America’s magnet supply chain independence,” added Rowntree. “While efforts to establish domestic rare earth production are crucial for near-term security, our Iron Nitride technology represents the next generation of magnet manufacturing, one that eliminates dependence on scarce rare earth elements entirely. This expansion enables us to work more closely with congressional leaders and federal agencies who recognize that developing rare-earth-free alternatives is essential to long-term strategic resilience.”
The expansion supports the company’s ambitious scaling timeline. Niron completed a two-year pilot project with the U.S. Department of Energy in late 2024 and broke ground last year on a 1,500 ton per year permanent magnet manufacturing plant in Minnesota. Now it is moving forward with plans to build its first 10,000-ton high volume manufacturing plant.
As part of the move, it also has hired Luke Sandlin, former Senior Legislative Assistant to Majority Whip Tom Emmer, as Director of Government Affairs. Sandlin brings deep experience in federal legislative strategy and national security policy, strengthening the company’s ability to navigate upcoming regulatory shifts and work closely with congressional leaders on permanent magnet supply chain issues.
For more info, see www.nironmagnetics.com, www.bimotal.com, www.faitalpro.com, www.matter.in.
