Canada’s Neo Performance Materials has expanded its artificial intelligence strategy through a multi-year partnership with Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia, aimed at accelerating advanced manufacturing, product development and rare-earth processing innovation.
The collaboration builds on Neo’s three decades of expertise in rare-earth materials, magnetics and industrial manufacturing. The company said the initiative will combine proprietary operational data, machine learning models and internal data science capabilities to improve manufacturing performance and strengthen supply-chain resilience.
Rahim Suleman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Neo Performance Materials, said the company’s historical operating data and specialist expertise provide a competitive advantage in applying AI across permanent magnet manufacturing and rare-earth separation.
Neo plans to use AI and machine learning applications to optimise production processes, improve yields and reduce the consumption of energy, water and chemical reagents. The company also expects the partnership to improve material consistency, strengthen magnetic performance and support the development of new magnet grades.
Tallinn University of Technology, also known as TalTech, will contribute expertise from its Centre for Intelligent Systems. The university focuses on industrial AI applications including real-time process optimisation and advanced industrial data analysis.
The partnership will also include joint educational programmes, internships and student engagement initiatives designed to support future talent development in advanced manufacturing, materials science and industrial artificial intelligence technologies.
Both organisations said the research programme will create feedback loops delivering measurable operational improvements across production environments while helping European manufacturers develop sustainable and resilient rare-earth supply chains supporting electric vehicles, renewable energy systems and defence technologies.
