Niron Magnetics Receives 2026 Innovation Excellence Award for Science Advancement from Innovation Research Interchange
MINNEAPOLIS. June 1, 2026—Niron Magnetics, the leading manufacturer of rare-earth-free Iron Nitride permanent magnets, was recognized with the 2026 Innovation Excellence Award for Science Advancement by Innovation Research Interchange, the innovation management division of the National Association of Manufacturers, at its recent Innovators Summit in Charlotte.
These prestigious awards honor individuals and organizations driving innovation, advancing sustainability, strengthening innovative cultures, applying digital technologies, expanding scientific discovery and building collaborative approaches to solving complex industry challenges.
“This award underscores the urgency and importance of building a new generation of permanent magnet technologies outside the rare earth supply chain,” said Jonathan Rowntree, CEO of Niron Magnetics. “Niron has proven that Iron Nitride can deliver the magnetic performance required for critical applications while using abundant domestic materials and a scalable manufacturing process. As demand accelerates across AI infrastructure, robotics, electric vehicles, consumer electronics and defense systems, innovation in magnetic materials is becoming a strategic industrial priority.”
When giving out the award to Niron, Lee Green, Executive Director of the Innovation Research Interchange, said: “Niron Magnetics has developed rare-earth-free Iron Nitride permanent magnets, turning a long-standing scientific challenge into a commercially viable technology with the potential to strengthen domestic supply chains. By creating a mine-to-magnet process using iron and nitrogen, supported by more than 150 patents and commercial-scale production plans, Niron is advancing a new class of high-performance magnets that offers strong magnetic performance, thermal stability and a more sustainable alternative to traditional rare earth magnets.”
For more information on IRI and the Innovation Excellence Awards, including past winners, visit https://iriweb.org/iri-excellence-awards/.
ABOUT NIRON MAGNETICS
Niron Magnetics is the world’s only producer of high-performance, rare-earth-free permanent magnets. The company’s Iron Nitride magnet technology delivers advanced permanent magnets that power essential devices across industrial, automotive, consumer electronics, and defense applications. Through its state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Minnesota, Niron serves leading manufacturers who require reliable, domestically produced permanent magnets for their products. For more information on Niron Magnetics and its technology, please visit https://www.nironmagnetics.com/
ABOUT NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR MANUFACTURING
The National Association of Manufacturers is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs 13 million men and women, contributes $2.75 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector research and development. The NAM is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the NAM or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit nam.org. About Innovation Research Interchange The Innovation Research Interchange is the NAM’s innovation management division. The IRI is a community of industry leaders dedicated to accelerating innovation and top-line growth. IRI members drive impactful innovation, develop the research and development roadmaps and make the investments that keep manufacturing at the forefront of advancing technologies and improving the quality of life. For more information, please visit https://iriweb.org.
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