mineral · input
Neodymium-iron-boron magnets used in EV traction motors, power steering, and starters; China controls 92% of processing and 60-70% of mining; 95% of new EV motors still use these in 2025
4
Source countries
4
Companies
1
Goods affected
0
Claims on record
What depends on it
1 essential American goods rely on ndfeb rare earth permanent magnets somewhere upstream in their supply chain.
Where it comes from
Share of global supply, by country.
| Country | Share of supply |
|---|---|
| CNChina | 92% |
| JPJapan | 5% |
| DEGermany | 2% |
| USUnited States | 1% |
Who makes it
4 companies produce ndfeb rare earth permanent magnets.
Largest NdFeB permanent magnet producer in China and the world. State-affiliated; partly owned by Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). Revenue ~¥8B (2024). Produces ~30,000 MT/yr of sintered NdFeB magnets for EV motors, wind turbines, and consumer electronics. Pioneered the original Sanhuan process and holds key patents in China. Critical to Siemens Gamesa, Vestas, and most Chinese wind turbine OEMs.
TDK Corporation (Tokyo; TYO: 6762; ~¥2.1T revenue) is a Japanese electronic components manufacturer — historically known for magnetic recording materials, ferrite cores, capacitors, and inductors — that became a major battery company via its 2005 acquisition of ATL (Amperex Technology Limited). TDK's Energy Application Products segment (which includes ATL and TDK's own battery brands) represents approximately 30-35% of TDK group revenue. TDK also manufactures lithium-ion cells under the CeraCharge and TDK brand for small-format applications (IoT sensors, wearables, hearing aids). Combined ATL+TDK represents more than 50% of Apple's annual iPhone battery cell supply. TDK's other major businesses include MEMS sensors (barometric pressure, magnetic), power supplies, and noise suppression components — all supplied to the same consumer electronics OEMs that buy ATL cells.
Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd. (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; TSE: 4063; ~¥2.1T revenue; ~$14B) is the world's largest PVC resin producer and one of its top two or three silicone producers globally, with approximately 15-20% global silicone market share. Shin-Etsu's silicones division produces KF-96 series dimethicone fluids (5 to 100,000 cSt viscosities) that are widely used in personal care formulations across Asia and globally — KF-96 is one of the most recognized cosmetic-grade dimethicone references in personal care ingredient databases. Primary silicone manufacturing is at Naoetsu, Niigata Prefecture (Japan Sea coast) and Gunma Prefecture plants. Shin-Etsu Chemical's enormous scale in both PVC and silicones makes it unique: the company produces chloromethane (methyl chloride) — the key Müller-Rochow process reagent — from its chlor-alkali operations, giving it vertical integration from chlorine production through dimethicone. Shin-Etsu also produces EUV photoresists, making it a supplier to both haircare formulators and TSMC's 3nm fab within the same corporate entity.
German specialty magnetic materials producer; one of two major non-Asian NdFeB producers at scale. Revenue ~€600M (2024). Operates Hanau plant and Póvoa de Varzim (Portugal) facility. Supplies European automotive (BMW, Mercedes, Volkswagen) and wind turbine (Siemens Gamesa, Enercon) applications. VAC is strategically important to EU rare earth independence plans; received EU funding for European magnet supply chain. Private; owned by private equity (Advent International).
