We strive to supply high-quality rare earth metals and alloys to the global permanent magnet industry.

The technical team at LCM is working with European researchers covering the full supply chain of magnet making, diversifying the magnet-making feedstock from rare earth to non-rare earth materials.

Using Mn-Al-based non-rare earth alloy, a single-step melting, and ingot casting process has been designed to successfully produce ~100% single Tau () phase matrix structure – a prime requirement to achieve the best magnetic properties for the high-tech industry.

With the help of one of the leading European universities, TUDA University in Germany, microstructural and magnetic properties characterization for the material produced at LCM is completed as part of an EU-funded project called PASSENGER (Pilot Action for Securing a Sustainable European Next Generation of Efficient RE-free magnets). PASSENGER aims to resolve Europe’s dependence on rare earth element imports for permanent magnet fabrication.

Over the four years, the project will develop innovative technology to produce permanent magnets without rare earth materials, using only resources that are widely available in Europe.

The graphic pack below reflects cast ingots with a single “t” phase matrix structure; the structure which gives appreciably good magnetic properties.