Highlights

• Launch of China's first rare earth disc motor intelligent demonstration line
• Introduction of a groundbreaking 3-watt, 6mm permanent magnet motor
• Exceptional efficiency and compact design
• Motor achieves 4,500-5,500 RPM
• Delivers up to 15 mN.m torque
• Potential applications across:
  • Automotive
  • Electronics
  • Robotics
  • Wearable technologies
• Represents China's strategic move to advance downstream rare earth technology
• Positions China as a leader in high-value rare earth permanent magnet products

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China’s first rare earth disc motor intelligent demonstration line has gone live at the Rare Earth New Materials Technology Innovation Center, producing a breakthrough miniature axial flux permanent magnet motor that could reshape applications from consumer electronics to automotive systems.

What is the Breakthrough?

The debut product—a 3-watt, 6-millimeter-thick rare earth permanent magnet axial flux motor—spins at 4,500–5,500 RPM, delivers up to 15 mN·m torque, and achieves over 70% efficiency. With a 60% reduction in size and 80% weight drop compared to similar models, it delivers higher torque, faster speeds, lower energy use, and longer service life.

A Leap in Miniaturized Magnet Technology?

Sino-German Innovation

The automated line is a joint achievement of the Innovation Center and Germany’s FEAAM GmbH (opens in a new tab) under their Sino-German Permanent Magnet Motor Joint R&D Center recently cited by this media platform.

According to project member Yan Liang, the first-generation product is now in full production, while work is underway on a second-generation upgrade to boost performance and output efficiency. By year-end, the line is expected to reach an annual capacity of 500,000 motors, addressing space-constrained, heat-sensitive applications in industrial and consumer markets.

Commercial Traction

Industry interest is immediate: the R&D team has already secured cooperation intent with a major Chinese automaker to integrate the motors into automotive smart cabin cooling systems. Potential markets extend to the following:

• Automotive
• Smart phones
• Wearable air-conditioning clothing
• Drones
• Robotics joint modules
• Other sectors

What is the key opportunity from a technical standpoint?  As reported by Baogang Group, areas where compact, high-performance drive solutions are in demand globally.

Downstream Innovation

As Rare Earth Exchanges (REEx) often delineates, not only is the U.S. and the West far behind China in the realm of the rare earth element supply chain, but also in the downstream innovative research and development (R&D) developing the next generation of value-added technological breakthroughs.

Obviously, Baogang Group touts such developments and breakthroughs when they occur. From lab concept to operational demo line, this development showcases the state-owned conglomerate (and its Northern Rare Earth Group’s growing capability to translate rare earth material science into value-added, high-tech components.

It also reflects China’s strategy of deep integration between research, industry, and application, reinforcing its position not only as the dominant supplier of rare earth raw materials but increasingly as a manufacturer of finished, advanced rare earth-based products.

Why this matters for the West

REEx suggests, of course, we need more third-party validation. However, assuming all checks out, this could represent more than a motor.  One could consider this part of a relentless effort to prod a supply chain shift.

The move into high-value rare earth permanent magnet products positions China to capture greater margins and lock in downstream market influence, making Western industries—particularly EVs, robotics, and electronics—even more reliant on Chinese technology, not just raw materials. With Germany already partnering on the R&D side, the development underscores that China is exporting innovation collaboration, not just rare earth oxides, and refining,  raising strategic questions for U.S. and allied industrial policy.

Baotou, Inner Mongolia — August 12, 2025 | Source: Baogang Daily