Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Sintered Rare Earth Permanent Magnets

Prelims: Current events of national and international importance

Why in News?

The Union Cabinet recently approved a new “first-of-its-kind” scheme, with a financial outlay of Rs.7,280 crore, to manufacture Rare Earth Permanent Magnets (REPM) in India.

Sintering is a manufacturing process that uses high heat and pressure to create the densest and most powerful rare-earth magnets

Aim - To establish 6,000 metric tonnes per annum (MTPA) of integrated Rare Earth Permanent Magnet (REPM) manufacturing in India.
Beneficiary split-up - The total capacity of 6,000 MTPA is given to 5 beneficiaries through a global competitive bidding process, with each beneficiary being allotted up to 1,200 MTPA of capacity.
Scheme duration - 7 years from the date of award.
- 2-year gestation period for setting up an integrated REPM manufacturing facility, and
- 5 years for incentive disbursement on the sale of REPM.
Focus on value chain - The scheme will support the
- Creation of integrated REPM manufacturing facilities,
- Involving the conversion of rare earth oxides to metals,
- Metals to alloys, and alloys to finished REPMs.
Support achieving Net-zero Target - The scheme will ensure a secure supply chain for national industries and contribute towards achieving the country's Net Zero 2070 targets.
Significance - By strengthening indigenous manufacturing capabilities, it will contribute to reducing carbon emissions and lowering dependence on crude oil imports, further enhancing the nation’s energy security.

Rare Earth Permanent Magnets

Rare-earth permanent magnets are the strongest type of permanent magnets available, made from alloys of rare-earth elements.
They produce significantly stronger magnetic fields than traditional magnets like ceramic or alnico, allowing for the creation of smaller, lighter, and more efficient motors and devices.
Types and Composition - The two main types of rare earth magnets are:
- Neodymium (NdFeB) Magnets - Composed primarily of neodymium, iron, and boron, these are the most common and powerful type of rare earth magnets.
- They are generally more affordable but are brittle and prone to corrosion, so they are typically coated or plated (e.g., with nickel or zinc) for protection.
- Samarium-Cobalt (SmCo) Magnets - These magnets are made from an alloy of samarium and cobalt.
- While not as strong as neodymium magnets, they offer superior resistance to high temperatures and corrosion.
Key Properties
High Strength - They have a very high magnetic field strength (remanence) and energy product compared to other magnets.
High Coercivity - They possess a high resistance to being demagnetized by external magnetic fields or everyday handling.
Power-to-Weight Ratio - Their strength-to-size ratio allows for much smaller and lighter magnets for a given application, which is crucial for modern technology.
Common Applications
- Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Wind Turbines
- Consumer Electronics
- Utilized in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines.
- Employed in magnetic separators, motors for cordless tools, and robotic arms.

Reference

The Hindu | Rare Earth Permanent Magnets (REPM)

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