The global permanent magnets market was valued at USD 22.18 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.7% from 2024 to 2030. This growth is largely fueled by the rising importance of renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar energy, where permanent magnets play a key role in enhancing efficiency. In wind turbine generators, for example, permanent magnets help increase operational efficiency and reduce maintenance needs. Rare earth magnets, especially Neodymium Ferrite Boron (NdFeB), are widely utilized in wind turbines due to their reliability and durability, making them ideal for renewable energy applications.
In the United States, the market for permanent magnets is expected to grow faster than ferrite magnets, thanks to their use in advanced applications, including robotics, wearable technology, electric vehicles, and wind power. Since the 2008-09 economic downturn, the U.S. automotive industry has shown steady growth, particularly in the electric vehicle (EV) segment, with significant contributions from manufacturers like Tesla, Chevy, Nissan, Ford, Audi, and BMW. Notably, Tesla adopted neodymium magnets for motors in early 2018, marking a trend that many other EV manufacturers are following.
Gather more insights about the market drivers, restrains and growth of the Permanent Magnets Market
Despite this growth, the U.S. still relies heavily on imports, especially for automotive parts containing electric motors and other components. In 2023, the U.S. imported approximately 4 million pounds of automotive parts from China, primarily due to a limited number of domestic manufacturers of permanent motor magnets. However, the ongoing trade tensions between the U.S. and China present a challenge, as potential restrictions on rare earth imports from China could disrupt the supply chain. In response, the U.S. government has taken steps to secure its domestic supply of rare earth materials, including funding mining projects under the Defense Production Act, which is expected to strengthen the availability of raw materials for the local permanent magnet industry.
According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), North America's GDP growth was projected to be 1.6% for 2023, driven primarily by the U.S. economy. In the second quarter of 2023, the U.S. saw a GDP growth of 2.4% (seasonally adjusted), which can be attributed to government spending, consumer spending, and business investments. With support from government fiscal packages, the U.S. industrial sector, including the permanent magnets market, experienced gradual growth in 2023.
Application Segmentation Insights:
In 2023, the consumer goods and electronics sector emerged as the largest application segment, accounting for approximately 26% of the market revenue. Permanent magnets are widely used in the electronics industry in various products, including air conditioning compressors, DVD players, cameras, watches, earbuds, loudspeakers, microphones, mobile phones, voice coil motors, printers, hard disk drives (HDDs), and power tool motors. The continued production and development of these electronic goods are expected to support the demand for permanent magnets in this sector.
The automotive sector is expected to see steady revenue growth over the forecast period. According to Arnold Magnetic Technologies, a typical car has around 100 permanent magnet devices. While ferrite magnets are still widely used by most automakers, the growing demand for lightweight vehicles and energy-efficient components is increasing the need for high-performance permanent magnets. As automotive manufacturers strive for greater fuel efficiency, advancements in magnetic materials are expected to drive growth in the automotive sector.
The industrial sector held the third-largest share in the permanent magnet market in 2023. Within this sector, the oil and gas industry presents significant opportunities for permanent magnet vendors. The industry increasingly uses energy-intensive technologies, such as electronic submersible pumps (ESPs), where permanent magnet motors (PMMs) offer economic advantages over traditional asynchronous motors. Permanent magnets help reduce power consumption and increase efficiency in these applications, making them valuable in energy-intensive industrial processes.
The medical sector is projected to be one of the fastest-growing application segments for permanent magnets over the forecast period. The demand in healthcare is driven by their use in advanced medical devices, including MRI machines, body scanners, and pacemakers. As healthcare facilities increasingly rely on high-performance, precise medical equipment, the demand for permanent magnets is expected to rise, contributing to market growth in this segment.
In summary, the permanent magnets market is set to grow robustly due to rising demand across various industries, including renewable energy, consumer electronics, automotive, industrial, and healthcare. As advancements in materials and technology continue, the versatility and efficiency of permanent magnets will make them essential in meeting the needs of these expanding markets.
Order a free sample PDF of the Permanent Magnets Market Intelligence Study, published by Grand View Research.
