en.Wedoany.com Reported - Niron Magnetics has reached a supply agreement with Aspina, a Japanese precision motor company, to jointly develop rare-earth-free motor products for applications in automotive, aerospace, and other fields. Niron, headquartered in Minnesota, will supply its proprietary iron nitride permanent magnet materials, leveraging Aspina's expertise in precision motor design and engineering to meet the growing market demand for rare-earth-free motors. This collaboration aims to reduce reliance on rare earth raw materials and mitigate supply chain concentration risks.
The agreement focuses on high-volume brushless DC motors and hybrid stepper motors. Both types of motors use electrical energy to drive mechanical motion, with hybrid stepper motors also widely applied in medical devices, machinery, and the robotics industry. Additionally, the agreement covers centrifugal fans produced by Aspina, which are primarily used in industrial settings for air intake, suction, and dust removal.
Yukihiro Kaneko, CEO of the Aspina Group, stated that the company has deep expertise in the global motor solutions market, and the collaboration with Niron's rare-earth-free magnet technology will open new opportunities for design flexibility and serving customers who demand resilience and high performance. The two parties have already initiated cooperation and are actively exploring pathways to achieve commercial mass production of rare-earth-free motor products.
This signing comes about a month after the U.S. Congress proposed legislation aimed at creating tax credits to support domestic magnet production and supply chains, a bill that Niron supports. The proposed "Magnet Value Chain Support Act of 2026" targets reshoring end-to-end manufacturing, including motors and defense systems that rely on magnets, to the United States. The bill stipulates that materials produced, processed, purchased, or sold by any prohibited foreign entity are ineligible for tax credits, while limiting credit eligibility to U.S. manufacturing activities using inputs from NATO allies, including Japan.
Jonathan Rowntree, CEO of Niron, noted that Congress's move sends a clear signal to innovators, manufacturers, and investors that the U.S. is committed to building resilient supply chains and supporting breakthrough technologies that reduce dependence on foreign materials. He expressed pride in the recognition of iron nitride magnets within this policy framework and believes the policy will accelerate industrial investment, manufacturing growth, and industrial competitiveness.
