Additive Drives secures major funding for rare-earth-free motors
German deep-tech startup Additive Drives has raised more than €25 million in fresh funding to accelerate the development and industrialisation of its rare-earth-free, 3D‑printed electric motors. The round, backed by a syndicate of climate-tech and industrial technology investors, underscores growing pressure on the automotive and energy sectors to reduce reliance on critical raw materials.
3D-printed motors without rare earths
Additive Drives specialises in using additive manufacturing to produce high‑performance electric motor components, including rotors and stators, that can operate without traditional rare-earth magnets. By redesigning the motor architecture and leveraging advanced 3D‑printing techniques, the company aims to match or exceed the efficiency of conventional motors while removing one of the most fragile links in today’s EV supply chain.
Rare-earth elements such as neodymium and dysprosium are widely used in permanent‑magnet motors but are associated with volatile pricing, concentrated mining regions and significant environmental impact. Investors view Additive Drives as a strategic bet on a more resilient and sustainable hardware stack for electric vehicles, industrial drives and renewable energy applications.
Scaling production for automotive and energy customers
The new capital will be used to expand manufacturing capacity, deepen R&D and qualify products for large‑scale deployment with automotive and Tier‑1 suppliers. Additive Drives is also expected to invest in automated quality control, advanced simulation tools and high‑throughput additive manufacturing systems to bring unit costs down to mass‑market levels.
Industry observers note that OEMs are actively seeking alternatives to magnet‑heavy machines as they plan next‑generation EV platforms. Rare‑earth‑free motors can simplify procurement, reduce exposure to geopolitical risk and align with tightening ESG requirements. If Additive Drives can demonstrate consistent performance at scale, its technology could become a key enabler in the transition to cleaner mobility and more sustainable electrification infrastructure.
The €25M+ raise positions the company among Europe’s most closely watched hardware climate-tech startups, at a time when investors are again warming to capital‑intensive, defensible industrial technologies.