China Rare Earth Group, Direct Drive Tech to develop robot magnets

China Rare Earth Innovation Technology and Beijing-based Direct Drive Tech signed a strategic cooperation agreement on September 29 to jointly develop high-performance magnetic materials for direct-drive motors, including neodymium-iron-boron magnets. The deal marks China Rare Earth Group's move downstream into robot components.

• Agreement signed on September 29, 2026
• Focus on neodymium-iron-boron magnets for direct-drive motors
• Partner is Beijing-based Direct Drive Tech
• China Rare Earth Group moves from raw materials into robot components