Overview of HRE-Free Magnets
HRE-free magnets generally refer to Neodymium (NdFeB) magnets designed to achieve the required coercivity without heavy rare earth elements, particularly Dysprosium (Dy) and Terbium (Tb). These elements have traditionally been used in certain high-coercivity grades to improve resistance to irreversible demagnetization, especially at elevated temperatures.
HRE-free technology was originally developed to reduce material costs and dependence on Dysprosium and Terbium. The supply and pricing of these heavy rare earth elements can be more volatile, making their reduced use attractive for both magnet producers and end users.
Its importance has increased significantly since China introduced export controls on certain medium and heavy rare earth-related items in April 2025. The controlled items include NdFeB permanent magnet materials containing Dysprosium or Terbium. For suitable NdFeB grades, using an HRE-free material can avoid the need to apply for a dual-use export license based on these elements, making international supply and export procedures more straightforward.
This is one of the main reasons why HRE-free magnets have received renewed attention. They are no longer considered only as a way to reduce rare earth cost and supply dependence, but also as a practical material option for simplifying the export of applicable Neodymium magnets.
However, HRE-free technology is not available for every high-coercivity grade. The achievable coercivity depends on the material formulation, production process, required remanence, magnet dimensions, and operating temperature. Current HRE-free solutions are concentrated within a limited grade range, while more demanding high-temperature or demagnetization requirements may still require Dysprosium or Terbium.
HRE-free magnets should therefore be regarded as a practical option for suitable NdFeB grades rather than a universal replacement for all high-coercivity Neodymium magnets. They are also not an HRE-free alternative to Samarium Cobalt (SmCo) magnets, which are covered separately by the current export controls.
Do Holding Magnets Need HRE-Free Magnets?
For most standard holding magnets, the answer is no.
HRE-free technology is mainly relevant when an application requires a high-coercivity Neodymium magnet that would otherwise rely on Dysprosium or Terbium. Most holding magnets do not have this requirement in the first place.
Pot magnets, rubber coated magnets, and other magnetic holding products generally operate at room temperature or moderately elevated temperatures. They rarely require the high-coercivity grades commonly used in motors, rotors, and other applications exposed to higher temperatures or stronger demagnetizing conditions.
Most catalog holding magnets therefore use standard Neodymium magnet grades or ferrite magnets. These products generally do not rely on the Dy- or Tb-containing high-coercivity grades for which HRE-free substitution is most relevant.
As a result, specifying an HRE-free high-coercivity grade usually provides little practical benefit for a standard holding magnet. There is normally no existing high-coercivity material that needs to be changed in order to simplify export.
An HRE-free grade may still be considered for a custom holding product with an unusually high operating temperature or a customer-specific material requirement. In these cases, the available grade must still provide sufficient coercivity under the actual operating conditions.
The export classification of a finished magnetic product also depends on its construction and level of processing, not only on the material inside it. It should therefore be evaluated separately rather than assuming that every product containing a controlled magnet material requires the same export procedure.
Magnetic separators may involve different temperature and coercivity requirements and should also be evaluated separately.
For most holding magnets in our catalog, HRE-free technology is therefore not a necessary material upgrade. Its current export advantages are important for suitable high-coercivity NdFeB grades, but those grades are rarely required in standard magnetic holding products.
