The energy transition has a rare earth problem: These startups are solving it
A factory in northeastern England is producing electric motors without rare earths, a group of metals used in most high-performance permanent magnets. The move aims to ease pressure on new mining and refining, as China controls over 90% of global rare earth separation and refining capacity.
A factory in northeastern England is at the forefront of building a new generation of electric motors made without rare earths. Advanced Electric Machines (AEM), founded in 2017 by CEO James Widmer, is among a handful of startups working to eliminate the need for rare earths in magnets and motors. Demand for rare earths is soaring as countries switch to electric transportation, increasing pressure on new mining and refining. China controls over 90% of global rare earth separation and refining capacity, sparking concerns over supply chain domination. AEM's rare earth-free motors could help shrink the environmental footprint of EV motors. The International Energy Agency (IEA) projects demand for magnet rare earths to increase by 30% by 2030.
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