Advanced magnets to mitigate Europe’s dependency on rare-earth elements in green technologies
Modern technologies crucial for a climate-resilient, sustainable, green, and digital future, such as wind generators and electric motors, heavily rely on rare-earth elements (REE). In 2022, China supplied 98 % of these magnets to Europe, rendering the continent highly vulnerable to these critical raw materials. The EU-funded BEETHOVEN project aims to reduce Europe’s dependence on REE in the energy and transportation sectors. It seeks to develop advanced magnetic materials that can replace REE, with a goal of cutting Europe’s REE magnet imports from 2 200 to 4 900 tonnes by 2033. The project will concentrate on creating three types of magnetic phases and demonstrating their substitution in final applications.
Objective
Modern technologies required for the transition to a climate-resilient sustainable green and digital future (wind generators, electric motors) heavily rely on rare-earth (REE) permanent magnets. However, with China covering 98% of the supply to Europe in 2022, the continent is left in an extremely vulnerable position with respect to these critical raw materials. In this framework, BEETHOVEN seeks to address the challenge brought forward in the Topic description to reduce the amount of REE employed in the new energy sector.
The main goal of the project is to develop innovative and sustainable advanced magnetic materials that substitute REE in the energy and transportation sectors. We will work on developing and upscaling 3 types of magnetic phases: high-entropy alloys, ferrite-based composites and W-type ferrites, that could be deployed at large scale in the permanent magnets market. Substitution will be demonstrated in final applications by developing REE-bonded magnets for automotive components, and by designing and building prototypes for a REE-lean wind generator, a REE-free flywheel and a REE-free/lean e-motor for electric vehicles.
With a total budget of 7.5 Million €, balanced between the parallel technological developments and across the project´s value chain, BEETHOVEN will address the 6 activities specified in the Topic Description. To do so, a team of experts from 14 partners and 10 countries -with demonstrated experience working collaboratively at the frontier of knowledge in the permanent magnet sector- has been assembled.
The successful implementation of the project is expected to put BEETHOVEN in the position to contribute to the expected outcomes and wider impacts of the call by reducing Europe´s REE magnets imports by an estimated 2,200-4,900 tons by 2033. The key technologies, skills and materials to achieve this impact will be developed within EU borders, contributing to a more resilient, autonomous and industrially competitive Europe.
Project Information
Grant agreement ID: 101129912
DOI: 10.3030/101129912
EC signature date: 26 April 2024
Start date: 1 May 2024
End date: 30 April 2028
Funded under. Digital, Industry and Space
Total cost: € 6 759 523,75
EU contribution: € 6 759 523,25
Coordinated by: AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS - Spain
