CAMBRIDGE, Jan 16 – Research firm IDTechEx has released new reports examining rare earth magnets, advanced coatings and aerogels, materials it says are gaining importance across industries from electric vehicles to aerospace and energy storage.

Rare earth magnets, described as the strongest commercially available permanent magnets, are widely used in electric motors, actuators and acoustics. Despite higher costs and lower operating temperatures compared with alternatives such as samarium‑cobalt or ferrite magnets, they remain the preferred choice for high‑performance applications.

IDTechEx said demand is rising in sectors including EVs, consumer electronics, data centers and wind turbines, while supply risks linked to defense and national security have given them critical material status. Its report, Rare Earth Magnets 2026‑2036, provides 10‑year forecasts and assesses recycling technologies.

The company’s Critical Material Recovery 2026‑2046 study projects that more than 8.1 million tonnes of critical materials could be recovered from waste and secondary raw materials by 2046, representing a value of over US$66 billion.

Advanced coatings are also under review, with IDTechEx describing them as “critical enablers of reliability and performance.” Applications span EV batteries, aerospace and data centers, offering benefits such as fire protection, EMI shielding, anti‑corrosion and self‑healing properties. The Advanced Coatings 2026‑2036 report highlights their growing economic importance amid global electrification.

Aerogels, lightweight porous materials with low thermal conductivity and fire retardancy, are emerging in EV thermal management and aerospace. IDTechEx forecasts the aerogels market to grow at a compound annual rate of 12.2% to reach US$3.29 billion by 2035. Its Aerogels 2025‑2035 report outlines current silica‑based products, developments in polymer aerogels, and benchmarking of applications across energy, oil and gas, and industrial sectors.

IDTechEx said the portfolio of reports underscores how advanced materials and critical minerals are shaping future technologies and supply chains.