Robotics Magnets

⚠ Disclaimer: This section may contain incomplete, out of date, or inaccurate entries. It is AI-maintained on a best-effort basis. Do not rely on it as a sole source — verify claims independently using the source materials listed in individual entries.

Overview

Permanent magnets are the supply-chain chokepoint behind every BLDC and servo motor in a robot joint (see the NdFeB notes in the Actuators overview). This section profiles US-located magnet producers and developers that appear on the OpenTree map, ranging from an operating sintered NdFeB producer to ramping rare earth projects and a rare-earth-free iron nitride pilot. Capacity and origin claims are company-sourced.

Companies

US-Based Makers

Company HQ Ownership / Stage Focus
Noveon Magnetics San Marcos, TX Private (Series C, Jan 2026) Sintered NdFeB (EcoFlux), recycled feedstock
Vulcan Elements Research Triangle Park, NC Private Rare earth magnets; large Benson, NC plant under construction
USA Rare Earth Oklahoma / Texas operations Public (ticker USAR per site) Mine-to-magnet integrated rare earth chain
Niron Magnetics Minneapolis, MN Private Rare-earth-free iron nitride magnets (pilot scale)

Notes

  • MP Materials (Fort Worth, TX) and Arnold Magnetic Technologies (Rochester, NY) are pinned on the map but are covered only within other sections.
  • Westmag, which builds drone motors and robot actuators, is profiled under Actuators.

Entries

  • Niron Magnetics — Minneapolis, MN developer of rare-earth-free iron nitride permanent magnets; operating pilot plant in Minneapolis, a planned 1,500-ton-per-year plant in Sartell, MN, and a 10,000-ton plant with site selection underway.
  • Noveon Magnetics — San Marcos, TX maker of sintered NdFeB magnets (EcoFlux, using recycled feedstock); describes itself as the only operational US sintered NdFeB producer; 215 million dollar Series C (Jan 2026); supply agreements with GM, ABB and Nidec.
  • USA Rare Earth — Mine-to-magnet rare earth company with Oklahoma magnet manufacturing, processing in Texas, Colorado and Brazil, and a completed combination with Serra Verde Group (September 2026); Commerce Department 1.6 billion dollar CHIPS letter of intent; robotics among target markets.
  • Vulcan Elements — North Carolina rare earth magnet maker producing at a Research Triangle Park plant and building a 1.1-million-sq-ft facility in Benson, NC; targets defense, drones, robotics and industrial motors.