The expansion of the electric vehicle (EV) market means explosive increase in demand for permanent magnets . The traction motor of one EV requires 1 to 3 kg of Nd-Fe-B magnets, and now that global EV sales have exceeded 10 million units per year, the permanent magnet market is experiencing unprecedented structural changes.

Magnets used in EV motors

electric vehicle traction motors are , Interior Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (IPMSM), and . By embedding Nd-Fe-B magnets in the rotor, high power density and a wide torque range are simultaneously achieved.

• Tesla Model 3/Y rear wheel : IPMSM adopted (Nd-Fe-B)
• Hyundai·Kia EV6 / IONIQ 5 : IPMSM
• BYD Blade Platform : IPMSM
• Some Tesla Model S/X / Front wheels : Induction motor (no magnets used) — Exception

Heavy Rare Earths (Dy, Tb) Dependency and Risk

EV motor is exposed to high temperatures of up to 180~200℃, so magnetic loss (demagnetization) occurs with general N grade. To prevent this, 0.5 to 6% of heavy rare earth elements such as dysprosium (Dy) and terbium (Tb) are added.

The problem is that the supply of heavy rare earths is highly concentrated in one region, such as southern China (Jiangxi and Guangdong). Since the late 2010s, the US, EU, Japan, and Korea have been pursuing supply chain diversification, and investment in new mine development and urban mining (waste magnet recycling) in Australia, the US, and Canada is rapidly increasing.

The rise of Dy-lean / Dy-free technology

Key technologies for reducing dependence on heavy rare earths are as follows:

1. Grain Boundary Diffusion (GBD) — A technique to increase coercivity by 5 to 7 times efficiency by infiltrating Dy/Tb only into the magnet surface. Already in mass production.
2. Sub-micron grain sintering — By making the grains as small as 0.5 μm, the same coercivity is achieved with less Dy.
3. Ce (cerium) substitution — Replacement of part of Nd with highly soluble light rare earth Ce. Ensure price stability.
4. Multi-layer lamination — Divides the magnet into thin sections to reduce eddy current loss and suppress magnet temperature rise.

Position of the Korean Magnet Industry

Korea's finished magnetic product manufacturing scale is smaller than that of Japan and China, but it has a strong demand base in magnet application motors (Hyundai Mobis, LG Magna, S & T Motiv, etc.). Hellomag is based in Bucheon, Korea, and connects the multi-layer magnet supply chain in Japan, China, and Southeast Asia to support the supply and demand of magnets for domestic motor, robot, and home appliance manufacturers.

Points to watch in the 2026 market

• Europe 2035 Actual implementation rate of ICE (internal combustion engine) ban
• Reinforcement of magnet raw material origin requirements under North American IRA (Inflation Reduction Act)
• Heavy rare earth price volatility — Dy prices fluctuated significantly between 2022 and 2024
• Time to enter mass production for urban mining (waste magnet recycling)
• Changes in motor output specifications due to the spread of solid-state batteries

Hellomag's counterpart

Hellomag provides the following services to EV motor manufacturers:

• N48SH ~ N52UH, etc. EV application high temperature grade magnet single quotation
• Dy-lean Grade (GBD Machining) Option Comparison Quote
• Sample → Prototype → Mass Production 3-Stage Supply Guide

, please contact parkdockyu@hellomag.co.kr or +82-10-8990-0603 . The head office is #703, Building 203, 397 Seokcheon-ro, Ojeong-gu, Bucheon-si, Gyeonggi-do.

Original source of this article: Hellomag — https://hellomag.co.kr