KOLEKTOR MAGNET TECHNOLOGY GMBH

Their core work

Kolektor Magnet Technology is a German industrial company specializing in the production and processing of rare earth permanent magnets, particularly neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) types. Their H2020 involvement centers on developing sustainable manufacturing processes for rare earth magnets and closing the loop on critical raw materials through recycling and reprocessing. They bring industrial-scale magnet fabrication expertise to research consortia tackling Europe's dependency on imported rare earth materials. Based in Essen, they operate at the intersection of advanced materials manufacturing and circular economy for critical resources.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

With only three projects spanning 2017–2019 start dates, the evolution is modest but directional. The earliest project (NEOHIRE, 2017) focused on improving NdFeB magnet fabrication and recycling from a manufacturing standpoint, while the later SUSMAGPRO (2019) shifted emphasis toward full circular economy recovery at pilot scale. This progression suggests a move from optimizing magnet production toward closing the entire lifecycle loop — from extraction through reuse.

Moving from manufacturing optimization toward full lifecycle sustainability of rare earth magnets, positioning them well for Europe's growing critical raw materials independence agenda.

How they like to work

Kolektor Magnet Technology operates exclusively as a participant or third party — never as coordinator — which is typical for an industrial partner contributing manufacturing know-how rather than managing research agendas. With 38 unique partners across 14 countries from just 3 projects, they join large, well-funded consortia where their specific magnet expertise fills an essential industrial role. This pattern suggests they are sought after as the "magnet manufacturer in the room" — the partner who can validate lab results against real production constraints.

Despite only 3 projects, they have built a broad network of 38 partners across 14 countries, indicating participation in large European consortia. Their network spans the critical raw materials and advanced manufacturing research community across Europe.

What sets them apart

They are one of few European NdFeB magnet manufacturers actively engaged in EU-funded recycling and circular economy research, giving them both production capability and R&D credibility in this niche. For consortium builders, they offer something rare: an industrial partner who can test recycled rare earth feedstock in actual magnet production lines. This combination of manufacturing scale and research engagement makes them a practical bridge between lab-scale recovery processes and market-ready magnet products.

Highlights from their portfolio

• NEOHIRE
  Largest funding (EUR 792,500) — tackled the full chain from NdFeB base materials through fabrication to recycling solutions.
• SUSMAGPRO
  Focused on pilot-scale sustainable recovery and reuse of rare earth magnets, directly addressing Europe's critical materials vulnerability.