---
title: "REPM 2025: Engineering a Magnetic Future to Save the Planet"
description: Magnet Applications’ Matthew Swallow presents groundbreaking research on post-assembly magnetising of permanent magnet rotors at REPM 2025, advancing sustainable magnet technology and reducing environmental impact.
---

[Magnet Applications Blog ](https://www.magnetapplications.com/blog)

# [REPM 2025: Engineering a Magnetic Future to Save the Planet](https://www.magnetapplications.com/blog/repm-2025-engineering-a-magnetic-future-to-save-the-planet)

 Written by [Matthew Swallow](https://www.magnetapplications.com/blog/author/matthew-swallow) | 30 Jul 2025

By Matthew Swallow

This week, over **500 engineers, scientists, and magnetic materials experts** gathered at REPM 2025. Why? I asked—and the answer was clear: **to save the planet**.

That’s not hyperbole. It’s the mission. Whether it’s reducing climate impact, improving energy efficiency, or enabling electrification, the people here are united by purpose. A nod to one of my heroes, **Simon Sinek**—the *why* is everything. 

*Matthew Swallow presenting his poster on Post-Assembly Magnetising of Permanent Magnet Rotors at REPM 2025.*

**The What: **

**Doing More with Less**

Across every session, the theme is consistent: **do more with less**. Less dysprosium. Less terbium. Less energy. More recycled content. More performance. It’s not just a magnetics conference—it could be any engineering or manufacturing event where the buzz is the same: **enthusiasm to help people and the planet**.

Magnets are at the heart of this transformation. They make technologies **smaller, faster, more efficient**, and able to operate in extreme environments. That’s why I love this industry—magnets *make things happen* in ways other materials simply can’t.

**The How: **

**Microstructure is the Battleground**

We’re approaching performance plateaus in energy density and coercivity. So the frontier now is **magnet microstructure**—specifically, the **grain boundary**. If you built a word map from yesterday’s sessions, “Grain-Boundary” would be in 10-foot-high letters.

This is where the magic happens. Researchers are asking:

- Can we replace heavy rare earths with **cerium or lanthanum**?
- How do **copper, aluminium, and gallium** affect diffusion and grain boundary behaviour?
- Can we reduce the energy required to produce high-performance magnets?

The lower the initial **CO₂e** of a magnet, the faster its **carbon payback**. That’s a new performance metric emerging in the 2020s.

**But What About the Customer?**

Here’s the reality: most magnet users don’t care about grain boundaries or rare earth chemistry. I spoke to 20+ people and the feedback was consistent: customers care about **two things**:

1. **How strong is it?**
2. **Will it resist demagnetization in my application?**

That’s why we’re called **Magnet Applications**. We translate complex materials science into **real-world solutions**. Our customers don’t need to understand the chemistry—they need magnets that meet spec, perform reliably, and align with their values.

**Bridging the Gap: Engineering Magnetic Solutions**

The innovations at REPM 2025 may never reach customers directly—except in **price**. Companies worldwide are racing to produce magnets with:

- Less Dy and Tb
- More Ce and recycled content
- Lower energy input
- Lower CO₂e footprint

At Magnet Applications, we understand that magnets are **special materials**. We help customers navigate the options, understand the trade-offs, and choose the right solution for their application.

Do you want:

- **Low CO₂e?**
- **Reduced geopolitical risk?**
- **Maximum performance?**
- **Balanced cost and sustainability?**

We always ask: **What are you doing, and how can we help?** Because we don’t just sell magnets—we **engineer solutions for magnetic applications**.

**About the Author:**  
Matthew Swallow is Engineering Manager at **Magnet Applications**, specializing in advanced permanent magnet solutions for critical technologies. A past **President of the Magnetics Society (IMA)**, he has helped drive innovation and collaboration within the global magnetics community.

[View full post](https://www.magnetapplications.com/blog/repm-2025-engineering-a-magnetic-future-to-save-the-planet)

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