Niron Magnetics Winner Of “Green Materials Innovation Of The Year” In 2025 CleanTech Breakthrough Awards Program

Niron Magnetics Winner Of “Green Materials Innovation Of The Year” In 2025 CleanTech Breakthrough Awards Program

MINNEAPOLIS, April 10, 2025 – Niron Magnetics, the company pioneering the world’s first high-performance, rare-earth-free Iron Nitride permanent magnets, today announced it has received the “Green Materials Innovation of the Year” award in the second annual CleanTech Breakthrough Awards program conducted by CleanTech Breakthrough, a leading independent market intelligence organization that evaluates and recognizes standout climate and clean technology companies, products and services around the globe.

Niron Magnetics delivers Iron Nitride magnets made from abundant, domestically sourced materials: iron and nitrogen – commonly found in steel production and agricultural fertilizers. 

Iron Nitride, widely acknowledged as the most magnetic material known to science, allows Niron’s magnets to provide enormous magnetic strength while maintaining superior thermal stability from cryogenic temperatures up to 180 degrees Fahrenheit. Iron Nitride has the greatest flux of any material known and unlocks fundamental advantages in device design. The magnets' high tensile strength and ability to be manufactured in custom form factors also make them ideal for demanding applications across industrial motors, automotive systems, consumer electronics, and defense technologies.

Niron’s manufacturing process is also resource efficient, recycling 80% of water and 97% of hydrogen used in production. In addition, Niron's products can be fully recycled through existing scrap iron streams, creating a closed-loop system that minimizes waste. Inherently scalable, Niron’s streamlined process scales to meet demand using industry-proven equipment.

Beyond environmental benefits, Niron technology supports domestic manufacturing capabilities. The company is currently operating out of its 70,000-square-foot commercial pilot facility in Minneapolis, with plans for an additional 190,000-square-foot facility in Sartell, Minnesota. This expansion addresses the need for an alternative magnet supply chain.

“Our magnets make technologies better and help businesses achieve next-generation device performance while also laying the foundation for a more sustainable, scalable, and resilient future for American industry,” said Jonathan Rowntree, CEO at Niron Magnetics. “Our permanent magnets are reshaping tomorrow’s technologies, helping our partners to achieve their design goals today. We’re grateful to be recognized by CleanTech Breakthrough, and we’ll continue to simultaneously address environmental challenges through our approach and technology while strengthening national security and driving economic growth through domestic manufacturing capabilities.”

The mission of the annual CleanTech Breakthrough Awards program is to spotlight and celebrate the global innovators who are transforming the climate and clean technology landscape. The program aims to perform the industry’s most comprehensive analysis of standout leaders and technologies shaping a more sustainable future. This year’s program received thousands of nominations from more than 14 countries worldwide, reflecting the global momentum and impact of clean technology advancements.

“Niron delivers high-performance, rare-earth-free permanent magnets that address critical environmental and supply chain challenges,” said Bryan Vaughn, Managing Director, CleanTech Breakthrough. “Permanent magnets are essential for everything from consumer electronics to the motors powering industry. However, traditional rare earth magnet production creates significant environmental damage while also relying on complex international supply chains. By leveraging locally available materials and cutting-edge manufacturing processes, Niron is setting a new standard for sustainable and scalable magnet production, proving that manufacturing innovation can drive both industry growth and environmental responsibility. Congratulations on being our pick for ‘Green Materials Innovation of the Year!’” 

About Niron Magnetics

Niron Magnetics is scaling the world’s first advanced manufacturing process for the mass production of permanent magnets powered by its breakthrough material formulation. The company’s proprietary magnet technology based on Iron Nitride enables magnets that are inherently high magnetization, free of rare earths and other critical materials, and will drive innovation in various industries. For more information about Niron Magnetics and its technology, please visit https://www.nironmagnetics.com/.

About CleanTech Breakthrough
Part of Tech Breakthrough, a leading market intelligence and recognition platform for global technology innovation and leadership, the CleanTech Breakthrough Awards program is devoted to honoring excellence in energy, climate and clean technologies, services, companies and products around the world. The CleanTech Breakthrough Awards provide public recognition for the achievements of clean technology companies and products in categories including solar technology, smart grid, energy management, wind energy, waste & recycling, transportation and more. For more information visit CleanTechBreakthrough.com