GreenSpur Secures £613,000 BEETHOVEN Project Grant

We are proud to announce that GreenSpur has been awarded approximately £613,000 from the BEETHOVEN Project, part of the EU’s Horizon Europe programme. This substantial four-year funding will drive the development of our high-powered, Rare Earth-free magnet technology, aimed at transforming various industrial applications.

At GreenSpur, we’ve pioneered a ground-breaking Permanent Magnet Generator (PMG) design for wind turbines that operates without Rare Earth Elements (REEs) or copper coils—an ideal solution for the BEETHOVEN Project’s ambitious objectives. The project’s focus on advancing next-generation magnet technology aligns seamlessly with our vision for more sustainable and resilient energy systems.

In the initial phase, we will characterise a new magnetic material for use in our PMG design. Following this, we will work with our consortium partners to further develop this material into magnets for a 3-5kW demonstrator wind turbine generator, with additional exploration into high-speed electric vehicles and flywheel applications. By eliminating reliance on REEs, we aim to mitigate supply chain risks and support the expansion of renewable energy technologies.

The BEETHOVEN Project, with a €7.5 million budget, brings together 14 partners from 10 European countries to develop advanced magnetic materials as alternatives to REEs. Key research areas include high-entropy alloys, ferrite-based composites, and W-type ferrites. Collectively, we aim to reduce Europe’s REE magnet imports by 2,200-4,900 tonnes by 2033, strengthening Europe’s industrial competitiveness and supply chain resilience.

Chris Heminway, Executive Chairman of GreenSpur, stated, “Joining the BEETHOVEN consortium is a significant milestone for GreenSpur. This grant not only highlights the market relevance of our technology but also provides vital funding to accelerate our path towards full-scale commercialisation. Being part of this consortium grants us access to a wealth of expertise, resources, and partnerships that align perfectly with our broader mission of creating a sustainable and resilient supply chain for the renewable energy sector.”

BEETHOVEN Project Lead Adrian Quesada added, “The BEETHOVEN Project is an outstanding collaboration of more than a dozen partners across Europe, all committed to advancing sustainable energy solutions by reducing dependency on Rare Earth materials. GreenSpur’s work on a REE-free PMG demonstrates how innovative technologies can turn cutting-edge research into practical, real-world applications.”

GreenSpur, as part of Time To ACT plc, is dedicated to driving the energy transition through innovative technological solutions. Alongside Diffusion Alloys, our sister division that specialises in protective coatings for extreme environments, we are strengthening the energy sector’s supply chain resilience. Together, we are working to bring sustainable innovations to the forefront, supporting hydrogen projects and more.