PERMANET is a European Union–funded project aimed at establishing an innovative network of EU actors to ensure a resilient supply of rare earth permanent magnets (REE PMs) n Europe. The project brings together key stakeholders and players capable of providing equipment, R&D services, and specialized expertise to accelerate the development of cuttingedge technologies in the REE PM industry, in line with EU industrial demand.
During the project, 13 technological innovations will be tested and scaled. These innovations cover the entire REE PM value chain through the implementation of three technological hubsthat organize thematic ecosystems for collaborative R&D and supply. The hubs will address the following areas:
To boost technology scaleup, PERMANET will address the key conditions for a sustainable and competitive REE supply through the implementation of five enabling mechanisms.
PERMANET is a sustainable REE supply and innovation network (Hub) designed to cover the entire value chain of rare earth permanent magnets (PMs) in Europe. The main objective of the project is to establish a network spanning the full value chain, from REE extraction and processing to permanent magnet production.
The project is structured around five integrated layers:
⦁ Three sustainable and interconnected technological hubs, segmented along the entire REE PM value chain, organizing thematic collaborative supply and R&D ecosystems
⦁ 13 fully scalable innovations targeting TRL 7, with expansion in scale and deployment scope across the value chain
⦁ A structural infrastructure layer including facilities, equipment, and R&D services to support pilot and demonstration activities
⦁ Five enabling engines addressing the key conditions for a sustainable and competitive REE supply
⦁ Full integration within a single PERMANET network infrastructure, supported by its own sustainable organizational model
The PERMANET network accelerates stateoftheart innovations, ranging from REE extraction from mining tailings and hydrometallurgical processing, through oxide reduction and innovative production processes, to the manufacture of advanced permanent magnets and their testing by end users in industrial environments across:
⦁ EMobility
⦁ Energy
⦁ Industrial equipment
PERMANET also secures key REE sources, including leading EU mining projects and partnercountry initiatives, as well as endoflife (EoL) streams such as WEEE and electric vehicles. The project is supported by enabling actions addressing challenges ranging from strategic risk management to investment support, aimed at strengthening underdeveloped segments of the EU REE PM value chain.
The project will unlock viable REE reserves, including nonconventional sources, and demonstrate novel, costeffective, and environmentally sound REE extraction, processing, and separation routes. In addition, PERMANET will demonstrate the first EU permanent magnet hub dedicated to circular PM technologies, enabling their deployment at market scale.
PERMANET is designed to be fully interoperable with other EUsupported PM hubs and aims to evolve into a panEuropean pilot and demonstration infrastructure, ensuring sustainability beyond the project’s public funding period.
