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Pilot Action for Securing a Sustainable European Next Generation of Efficient RE-free magnets

Project description

Sustainable substitution model for the production of permanent magnets

Used in key industrial ecosystems – from renewable energy and e-mobility to space and defence – permanent magnets are essential. However, rare-earth elements are required to produce the majority of magnets used in those technological sectors. The EU-funded PASSENGER project will develop innovative solutions to resolve issues with EU dependency on rare-earth raw materials for permanent magnets. The aim will be to reduce bottlenecks in the material supply-chain and diminish the environmental impact. Applying a sustainable substitution model, the project will rely on resources widely available in Europe and innovative technologies to develop upscaled alternatives. For this purpose, PASSENGER brings together 20 institutions (13 industrial partners) from 8 European countries.

Objective

PASSENGER addresses to the topic CE-SC5-10-2020 on raw materials innovation under subtopic d) Pilots on substitution of critical and scarce raw materials (2020). PASSENGER aims to develop innovative pilots to address an aspect of high economical, technological, social and environmental relevance: a solution for the EU dependency on rare-earths (REs) for permanent magnets (PMs), avoiding bottlenecks in the material supply-chain and diminishing the environmental impact. Considering the importance of PMs in present and emerging technologies, PASSENGER will develop up scaled alternatives based on widely available resources and innovative technologies. PASSENGER has a clear industrial orientation involving key end users and SMEs/LEs (13 industrial partners) from 8 EU countries. PASSENGER will develop a sustainable substitution pilot in PMs subdivided in 8 innovative pilot activities covering the complete value chain to finish at TRL7 and to guarantee implementation across the EU after the project is finished. The choice of PMs is based on realistic (envisioned up-scaling, low cost and environmental impact) projects results and patents (proven at TRL 4-5) achieved by the partners in successful EU projects: Improved Strontium ferrite (Sr-ferrite), Manganese-Aluminum-Carbon (MnAlC) and related technologies. These RE-free PM alternatives will substitute bonded NdDyFeB-magnets, which are constituted by diverse critical raw materials: REs (Nd and Dy, and Pr in some compositions); Metal (Cobalt). Electromobility has been chosen as a main key-driving sector with three application areas: Class 1: e-scooter; Class 2: e-bikes and e-motorbikes; Class 3: e-cars. The project will be done under premises of sustainability and reduced environmental impact, including Standardisation activities, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Cost (LCC) analysis, recyclability and social-life cycle assessment of PASSENGER’s products and technologies.

Call for proposal

H2020-SC5-2018-2019-2020

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Sub call

H2020-SC5-2020-2

Coordinator

FUNDACION IMDEA NANOCIENCIA
Net EU contribution
€ 949 495,00
Address
CALLE FARADAY 9 CIUDAD UNIVERSITARIA DE CANTOBLANCO
28049 Madrid
Spain

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Region
Comunidad de Madrid Comunidad de Madrid Madrid
Activity type
Research Organisations
Links
Total cost
€ 949 495,00

Participants (21)