L-Acoustics, industry leaders in designing and manufacturing sound systems and technology, has announced its strategic investment in MagREEsource, a company offering patented technologies for the manufacture of rare earth permanent magnets.
Additionally, it has secured exclusive partner rights in the professional audio sector for sustainable and sovereign, European-based rare earth magnets that are crucial to loudspeaker manufacturing.
100% recycled high-performance magnets
This forward-looking collaboration brings a pioneering circular economy model to the professional audio sector using innovative magnet recycling and manufacturing technology.
By supporting this start-up partner, L-Acoustics’ investment will enable the loudspeaker manufacturer to significantly reduce its environmental impact while diversifying its supply sources for neodymium magnets.
As such, this strategic collaboration demonstrates the company’s dedication to environmental stewardship while strengthening supply chain resilience.
MagREEsource’s proprietary recycling technology facilitates the complete recovery of neodymium magnets from a range of sources, such as loudspeakers, electric vehicle engines, and wind turbine generators, that are then transformed into high-performance magnets made with 100% recycled material.
This circular process offers a significantly reduced environmental impact in comparison to typical magnet production methods.
Hervé Guillaume, CEO at L-Acoustics Group, says: “The strategic investment and partnership with MagREEsource represent a significant advancement in our sustainability journey.
“By securing exclusive access to this revolutionary technology for the professional audio sector, we are not only reducing our environmental footprint but also strengthening our supply chain resilience and delivering on our commitment to responsible innovation. We’re proud to support a promising startup whose breakthrough technology has the potential to transform sustainability practices across multiple industries.
“The ability to recycle nearly 100% of magnet materials from diverse sources creates a true circular economy model that can benefit the audio sector and beyond.”
Erick Petit, president and co-founder of MagREEsource (pictured top), says: “This partnership with L-Acoustics represents a pivotal moment for MagREEsource.
“Their strategic investment provides crucial resources that will accelerate our growth and technology development. This collaboration with a global industry leader validates our approach and opens potential opportunities for innovation in the professional audio sector.
“Together, with our circular ‘magnet-to-magnet’ model, we’re creating a sustainable and sovereign supply chain for rare earth magnets that addresses critical environmental and resource challenges while demonstrating how established companies and disruptive startups can partner to drive innovation with the process and to the final loudspeaker design and conception.”
Reduced environmental impact
This collaboration delivers substantial environmental benefits. Whilst the conventional manufacture of a magnet from newly extracted materials produces 67.6 kg of carbon dioxide, a recycled magnet from MagREEsource produces 91% less, at just 6 kg.
Furthermore, the recycling process requires 86% less water, saving around 1,187 litres per kilogram of magnet produced.
The partnership also presents new possibilities for future recycling programmes within the L-Acoustics ecosystem. Such opportunities include the integration of new designs using recycled magnetic materials in future product development, and potential end-of-life magnet collection hubs.
These future-facing approaches both reflect L-Acoustics’ sustainability goals and may contribute to reducing the sector’s reliance on newly extracted rare earth elements.
MagREEsource’s current pilot facility in Noyarey, France, can process 80 tons of magnets a year. The company plans to expand to a full-scale MagFactory by 2028, which will be equipped to produce 1,000 tons a year.
This innovative approach has attracted significant support from European institutions, and last month the future MagFactory project was awarded ‘European Strategic Project under Critical Raw Materials Act’.
Earlier this year, L-Acoustics revealed details of its new HYRISS (Hyperreal Immersive Sound Space) solution, which elevates the creation of immersive, emotionally resonant experiences.
