The demand for Neo magnets in traction motors and Windmills spurred a great interest in domestic production. National security issues are a factor as well. China has been a dominant player for the past two decades that resulted in the rest of the world to shut down their magnet plants.

Light rare earths like Ce, La are more abundant. However saturation induction is lower in Ce and La but high enough so substitutions are possible. Pr and Nd occur together and often called as didymium and can be used as lower cost substitute. Efforts to replace Nd with these substitutes have been in progress for some time. This presentation will cover the progress made thus far.