Hyundai, Kia, and Korean universities developing EV magnetic materials

Seoul, South Korea- Hyundai Motor Company and Kia have collaboratively established the 'Hyundai Motor Group Magnetic Materials Joint Research Laboratory' at Yonsei University in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul's. This innovative geared towards advancing the competitiveness of permanent magnet technology, a critical component for electric vehicles.

The joint laboratory aims to develop technologies for replacing and recycling rare earth materials, crucial raw materials in the electrification era. As electrification advances, demand for rare earth elements like neodymium for EV motors rises. However, environmental concerns in production lead to stricter import/export rules. Thus, developing alternative magnetic materials and recycling tech becomes crucial.

Hyundai Motor and Kia, in collaboration with seven Korean universities, are fast-tracking the development of magnetic material technology. This initiative aims to address challenges in resource supply and demand while establishing a prominent position in electric vehicle material technology.

Hyundai and Kia will operate a joint laboratory for three years with seven universities, including Yonsei University, Seoul National University, Sungkyunkwan University, Pusan National University, Pukyong University, Chungnam National University, and Hyundai NGB, an industry-academia cooperation institution, to support research activities.

The Joint Laboratory will conduct tasks such as
- Research on non-rare earth magnetic materials that can replace rare earth materials,
- Rare earth element recycling research that recovers and recycles rare earth elements at the motor level, and
- Magnetic property evaluation research that can advance the magnetic measurement of materials.

In particular, Researchers from the Hyundai Motor and Kia Basic Materials Research Center plan to participate in each project, aiming to accelerate joint research efforts and create synergy in convergence technologies.

Mr.Hyunsoo Sohn, Head of Hyundai Motor and Kia Energy Materials Laboratory, said, "It is significant in that it is the first joint research laboratory to be established in the field of magnetic materials among the joint laboratories established by Hyundai Motor and Kia." He added, "We will actively cooperate with this project to accelerate the internalization of magnetic material technology, which is a key component of electrification."

Mr.Lee Woo-young, a senior professor at Yonsei University's Joint Research Laboratory, said, "Future mobility is attracting attention as a very important technology field that will determine national competitiveness in the future" and "the joint laboratory will serve as a solid foundation for domestic technology to lead the world in the field of motor magnetic material technology, which is the core of mobility."

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