Magnetics Business & Technology - Winter 2013 - (Page 33)

INDUSTRY NEWS NEMA Welcomes Bipartisan Introduction of Critical Minerals Policy Act The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) welcomed the October 29 introduction by Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR), Ranking Member Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Senator Mark Udall (D-CO), and Senator Dean Heller (R-NV) of legislation to update federal policy on domestic sources of and know-how related to mineral resources critical to US manufacturing industries, including many NEMA member companies. These materials include the 17 so-called "rare-earth elements," as well as other critical materials including yttrium, scandium, cobalt, lithium and thorium. "I commend Chairman Wyden, Ranking Member Murkowski, and Senators Udall and Heller for introducing this important legislation, the Critical Minerals Policy Act of 2013," said NEMA president and CEO Evan R. Gaddis. "The bill specifically recognizes the importance of critical materials for many NEMA industries, including but not limited to arc welding, lighting, electric motors, superconducting wire, advanced batteries and medical imaging." "We look forward to working with Senators Wyden, Murkowski, Udall, Heller and many of their colleagues to move this bill forward to passage," Gaddis added. As introduced, the Critical Minerals Policy Act of 2013 would authorize research and development projects at the US Department of Energy (DOE) to facilitate the more efficient production, use, and recycling of critical minerals, and to develop alternative materials that can be used to reduce the demand for critical mineral commodities. The bill would also direct DOE to conduct research and development into so-called "non-traditional sources" of rare earth elements, which could include extraction and reclamation of such materials from manufactured goods such as electronics and fluorescent lighting. The legislation would also require the US Geological Survey and DOE to collaborate on annual reviews of domestic mineral trends, as well as forward-looking analyses of critical mineral production, consumption and recycling patterns. The legislation would also provide for workforce assessments, curriculum development, worker training, and associated grants to academic institutions related to critical minerals; and direct the Secretaries of State and Energy to promote international cooperation and information exchange on critical mineral supply chain issues. drive the permanent magnets market to $18.8 billion by 2018. The permanent magnet market is witnessing very high growth on account of rising demand for efficiency and increased electrification in all facets of life. The demand for permanent magnets is growing, especially from the automotive and wind energy sectors. It is increasingly used for electric power steering, electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles. The wind turbine market is another major growth area for permanent magnet. China is a dominant player in the rare earth permanent magnet. The Chinese government is taking strategic steps to maintain its leading position as a supplier of rare earth minerals as well as to secure rare earth reserves for its own internal consumption. It has restricted rare earth annual export quotas to less than 35,000 tons. The Chinese government is also taking measures to curb nonlicensed mining and export of rare earth minerals. The supply constraints from China results in high volatility in the prices of rare earth minerals that results in high prices for rare earth magnets. Due to the supply constraint from China, other countries across the globe are finding new ways to reduce the dependence on China for the rare earth minerals. They are finding new ways to diversifying global rare earth supply chain, development of alternative materials, and more efficient use of rare earth, including recycling. The US government is keen on domestic production of the entire supply chain of permanent magnet, which are critical for the defense and energy. Many governments are encouraging their manufacturers to develop alternative technologies to reduce or no use of rare earth in the production rare earth magnets. transformers, inductors magnetics Global PM Market Report 2013-2018: NdFeB, Ferrite, SmCo, Alnico Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Global Permanent Magnet Market Report 2013-2018" report to their offering. Rising demand for miniaturization coupled with advancement in technology that leads to the availability of better quality ferrite magnets and neo magnets with lesser dysprosium content, will www.MagneticsMagazine.com & custom solutions * Current sensors/transformers and snap-on load detectors * Power inductors/chokes * Switch mode power supply inductors * Toroidal and laminate power transformers * Lighting chokes, inductor/filters, modem transformers and air coils * Custom designs are our specialty Download our NEW brochure 888.267.1195 or visit eis.apitech.com/magnetics Call EMI Signal & Power Filters * Filtered Connectors * Ceramic Capacitors Winter 2013 * Magnetics Business & Technology 33 http://eis.apitech.com/magnetics http://eis.apitech.com/magnetics http://www.MagneticsMagazine.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Magnetics Business & Technology - Winter 2013

Editor's Choice
Hitachi Metals, Ltd. - The Magnet Industry Newsmaker
Research & Development
Magnets • Materials • Measurement
Application • Component Developments
Magnetics 2014 Conference Preview
Industry News
Marketplace/Advertising Index
Spontaneous Thoughts: NdFeB: The First 30 Years and the Next 30 Years

Magnetics Business & Technology - Winter 2013