Swedish researchers are examining whether the country’s mineral resources could help create a cleaner and more sustainable rare earth and magnet industry, according to ScienceDaily.
Martin Sahlberg, a professor of materials chemistry at Uppsala University, said the issue is also geopolitical because rare earth magnets are largely produced in China. He noted that trade disputes and export restrictions have shown how vulnerable the supply chain can be.
Rare earth materials are important for displays, magnets and other technologies tied to the shift toward cleaner energy, but extracting and refining them can involve toxic chemicals and radioactive byproducts. The challenge is finding deposits concentrated enough to make production viable.
Sweden already has known rare earth deposits in Kiruna, Bergslagen and Norra Kärr outside Gränna. The research team wants to study what elements are present in those deposits and develop magnet formulas that better match the materials available locally, which could reduce processing and environmental impact.
The project brings together geologists, physicists and materials engineers and is expected to continue for years as the group builds a scientific foundation for domestic extraction and magnet design.
