Magnets are a core component of modern technology. From electric vehicles and wind turbines to smartphones, medical devices, and defense systems—none of it works without permanent magnets, especially those made from rare earth materials like neodymium.
So, why can’t we make them in the U.S.?
Here’s a quick look at what’s holding us back:
1. Heavy Dependence on China
China dominates the global magnet supply chain. Even rare earths mined in the U.S. are typically shipped overseas for processing and magnet production. Today, over 90% of rare earth magnets come from China.
2. Environmental & Regulatory Barriers
Refining and processing rare earths isn’t easy—it’s messy, expensive, and tightly regulated in the U.S. While those standards protect our environment, they’ve made it hard to build a domestic refining and manufacturing base.
3. Capital-Intensive, High Risk
Setting up a vertically integrated magnet facility—from refining all the way to sintering and finishing—requires significant upfront investment. With low-cost imports dominating the market, few companies are willing to take that risk without clear long-term incentives.
4. Skills & Infrastructure Gap
After decades of offshoring, the U.S. lacks the precision tools, processing tech, and trained labor force needed to compete in high-performance magnet manufacturing—at least at scale.
5. Fragmented Supply Chain
Manufacturing magnets isn’t just about rare earths—it’s about the full pipeline: alloying, powder metallurgy, sintering, machining, coating, QA testing. The U.S. lacks a fully integrated, end-to-end system right now.
At Radial Magnets, we understand how critical magnets are to the future of energy, mobility, and innovation. We’re actively working and collaborating with partners who share the goal of building a more secure, reliable, and resilient supply chain—here at home.
Stay Tuned!