The Korea Institute of Materials Science, a government-funded research institute under the Ministry of Science and ICT, transferred

anisotropic rare-earth bulk magnet manufacturing technology to Star Group IND. Co., Ltd. 

The technology is utilized to manufacture anisotropic rare earth bulk magnets using cerium (Ce) instead of high-priced neodymium

(Nd) for the development of high-performance rare earth permanent magnets. The research team led by Dr. Jeong Gu Lee of the

Department of Magnetic Materials at KIMS focused on compensating for the deterioration of magnetic properties that occurs when

using cerium (Ce). Cerium is more produced and inexpensive than neodymium (Nd). By suppressing the formation of the non

magnetic phase (REFe2) generated when cerium (Ce) is added, the researchers succeeded in improving the residual magnetization

and coercive force simultaneously. This technology was developed through two years of R&D with funding from the material

innovation pioneering project (head Yang Sang Seon) of the Ministry of Science and ICT.

The technology transfer of KIMS enabled Star Group IND. to significantly reduce the manufacturing cost of high-performance rare earth magnets. Through the convergence with existing technologies and markets, it is expected to be able to diversify products as well as appropriately respond to the various demands of the market. Star Group IND. plans to produce a pilot-scale prototype in 2022 and build a mass production line in 2023.

Dr. Jeong Gu Lee, the leading researcher of the project, said, “The difficulty in resource supply and demand because of the increase in material price occurred by the use of expensive rare earth and the increase in demand for neodymium (Nd) may lead to encroachment of the market if technology does not support it. If the technology transfer can lead miniaturization and weight reduction of parts by improving price competitiveness and the high performance of materials, we may gain momentum to lead the hybrid, electric and flying car markets in the future.”