On June 19, CLEANcarolinas’ Project Director Dr. Mike Mazzola, and Chief Engagement Officer, Carolyn Keith were provided a tour of the new $500M+ eVAC Magnetics facility under construction in Sumter, South Carolina by Mr. Travis Norton, eVAC’s Strategic Initiatives Manager. In addition, the team met with Mr. Brian Rauschenbach, representing Sumter & Lee counties “LINK” Economic Development organization and the Central Carolina Technical College’s Advanced Manufacturing Technology Training Center team.

eVAC Magnetics is the leading manufacturer of rare earth permanent magnets in the Western Hemisphere. As part of Vacuumschmelze (VAC), they produce rare earth neodymium-iron-boron magnets, which are critical to automotive, defense, industrial, and renewable energy applications, including offshore wind turbines. eVAC broke ground on a new, state-of-the-art facility in Sumter, South Carolina in March 2024, with completion anticipated in late 2025. The project is expected to create 300 new jobs.

“eVAC is proud to invest in America’s 21st century supply chain and to advance clean energy manufacturing efforts,” said VAC Group Chief Executive Officer Dr. Erik Eschen. “This project demonstrates the importance of high-quality, high-performance magnetic materials, which are key enablers of electrification and energy efficiency across a range of industries. Our facility will help to establish a resilient, U.S.-based supply chain for decades to come.”

In January 2023, e-VAC announced a binding long-term supply agreement with GM to manufacture permanent magnets, using locally sourced raw materials, for the electric motors used in a broad portfolio of EVs in North America. In September 2023, the U.S. Department of Defense entered into an agreement with e-VAC as part of its ‘Mine-to-Magnet’ supply chain initiative, ensuring U.S. companies can source and produce the rare earth permanent magnets that are essential components in the F-35, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, and numerous other defense systems.

The EU bloc has zeroed in on rare earths as one of the most important critical minerals due to their use in permanent magnets that power motors in EVs and wind energy. EU demand is forecast to soar six-fold in the decade to 2030 and sevenfold by 2050.

Dr. Mike Mazzola stated, “The strategic importance of the eVAC manufacturing facility in South Carolina to national security by producing rare earth permanent magnets cannot be overstated, and the facility will play a critical role in helping to establish a strong, regional offshore wind supply chain in the Carolinas.”