Rare Earths and Magnets: Expanding European capacities
Joint Conference with EIT RawMaterials
29 – 30 October 2025, Stuttgart
Since its launch in 2021, PASSENGER has successfully advanced the development of rare-earth-free permanent magnets. By pioneering innovative technologies that substitute rare-earth elements (REEs), the project directly addresses Europe’s reliance on REE imports, supporting the creation of a stable, sustainable, and resilient European value chain.
These advancements are critical for strategic applications, including electric vehicles and water pump motors, where permanent magnets play a key role.
As the project reaches its final stages, the PASSENGER Final Conference will highlight major achievements, promote European leadership in sustainable magnetics, and explore pathways for market adoption and policy integration.
The event will be held within the SIGN conference, following the successful launch of the EIT RawMaterials Rare Earths & Magnets Strategic Impact Group Network (SIGN) in April. It will gather leading industrial and research stakeholders to advance a resilient and sustainable European Rare Earth and Magnet strategy. A dedicated session will focus on innovation, sustainability, and collaboration, covering various topics such as supply chain diversification and promoting circularity through cross-sector initiatives.
Thematic Focus
Alongside a guided visit to the Mercedes-Benz assembly plant, the programme will explore the intersection of innovation, sustainability, and industrial collaboration. Key topics include:
-
Alternative magnet and motor technologies
-
Pathways to diversified and de-risked magnet supply chains in the European Circular Economy
-
Investment in EU Strategic Projects and international supply chain partnerships
-
Attracting and nurturing talent for the sector
Agenda
Subject to change and updates
Day 1 – 29 October
|
09:00 –9:15 |
Inaugural address: Bernd Schäfer, CEO, Managing Director, EIT RawMaterials |
|
09.15- 10.00 |
Opening session Speakers:
|
|
10:00– 10.30 |
Fireside Chat: Magnets made in Europe, Alexander Barcza, VP Permanent Magnets, Vacuumschmelze
|
|
10:30 –11.00 |
Coffee Break
|
|
11.00 –11.20 |
Permanent magnet applications in the automotive sector, Speaker:
|
|
11.20 –11.40 |
Rare earths criticality: Key trends in magnetic materials Speaker:
|
|
11.40 –12:00 |
High-performance ferrite magnets and pilot scale manufacturing Speakers:
|
|
12.00 –12:30 |
Manganese-based magnets and their application potential Speaker:
|
|
12.30 –14.30 |
Lunch + Mercedes Museum Visit |
|
14.30 –15.30 |
Motor applications of new innovative magnetic materials Speakers:
|
|
15.30 –16.00 |
CRM4EU Cluster and introduction of projects
|
|
16.00–16.30 |
Coffee Break |
|
16.30–16.50 |
The Mercedes Modular Architecture for BEV and HEV Speaker:
|
|
16.50 –17.10 |
The strategic pathway to diversified and de-risked magnet supply chains in the European Circular Economy Speakers:
|
|
17.10 –18.00 |
EU strategic projects: The way forward Moderator: Luis Alberto Tercero, Head of Business Unit Raw Materials, Fraunhofer Institute Speakers:
|
|
18.00 –18.10 |
Closing remarks |
|
18.30 –21.00 |
Reception and Dinner |
|
Day 2 – 30 October |
|
|
08.45 –09.05 |
European business in rare earth materials Speaker:
|
|
09.05 –09.35 |
Securing raw materials for Europe: International partnerships Speakers:
|
|
09.35 –10.25 |
An alternative pricing mechanism to build a European rare earth value chain – Pros and cons Moderator: Lee Constable, Founder & CEO, Critical Minerals Tomorrow Limited Speakers:
|
|
10.25 –11.55 |
JRC-DG Grow Joint Workshop on Permanent magnet recyclability and recycled content under the Critical Raw Materials Act Moderated by:
|
|
11.55 –12.15 |
Smart Minds: EIT RawMaterials and Advanced Materials Academies Speaker:
|
|
12.15–13.15 |
Lunch |
|
13.15 –16.30 |
Mercedes-Benz assembly plant tour |
|
16.00–18.00 |
SIGN Core Group Meeting (invitation only) |
Register Now!
