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

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 PASSENGERs products and technologies.