LG Innotek develops high-performance magnet without heavy rare-earth metals

LG Innotek, an Apple supplier, said it has developed a high-performing magnet that requires zero heavy rare-earth metals in collaboration with the Korea Institute of Materials Science.

LG Innotek developed high-performance magnet that doesn't require any heavy rare-earth metal. [LG INNOTEK]

LG Innotek, an Apple supplier, said it has developed a high-performing magnet that requires zero heavy rare-earth metals in collaboration with the Korea Institute of Materials Science.

Magnets are necessary components in electronics devices like smartphone actuators, vehicle motors and audio speakers.

Heavy rare-earth metals such as terbium and dysprosium have been considered essential to enable magnetism at a high temperature. But the pollution induced during mining process and the fact that its supply is almost exclusively controlled by China has posed a number of risks to its supply chain.

"Until now, heavy rare-earth metals have been irreplaceable in order to increase durability of the magnet at high temperatures," said the LG affiliate in a release on Wednesday. "But LG Innotek's high-performance eco-friendly magnet that doesn't use heavy rare-earth metals nor expensive metals is able to maintain its durability even in a 180-degree Celsius [356-degree Fahrenheit] environment."

LG Innotek said it developed a multicomponent alloy that can replace heavy rare-earth metals in partnership with the Korea Institute of Materials Science that, according to the company, is an industry first. The alloy can be evenly distributed and absorbed in the magnet, which enables an industry top-tier 13.8 kilogauss of magnetic induction.

The replacement of heavy rare-earth metals enables LG Innotek to reduce the cost of magnet production by 60 percent, according to the company.

"From heavy rare-earth metals to light rare-earth metals, LG Innotek is in the development of magnets that completely exclude any type of rare-earth metals," said company CTO Roh Sung-won.

"LG Innotek will continue to offer exclusive customer value by presenting innovative materials and components."

BY JIN EUN-SOO [jin.eunsoo@joongang.co.kr]