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The Dundee University study has called for the vital magnets, used in wind turbines, electric cars and mobile phones, to be shifted from manufacture in China to the UK. But the research has issued a warning over considerable political, financial and ethical challenges with the overhaul.

The appeal comes amid a difficult geopolitical landscape between the UK and China, with the Labour government blocking plans for Chinese company, Ming Yang, to set up a £1.5 billion turbine factory in the Scottish Highlands over national security and cyber security fears.

Experts from Dundee University’s Faculty of Science, Engineering and Business have warned that obtaining a UK supply of neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnets, which are essential for the operation of electric vehicles, mobile phones and wind turbines, will present considerable political, financial and ethical challenges.

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Dr Thomas Jones, an expert in advanced manufacturing and materials science at Dundee University, said: “As the transition to clean energy sources intensifies, the critical role of NdFeB magnets has become increasingly apparent.

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NdFeB magnets are among the world’s strongest permanent magnets and are used in dozens of household and industrial applications.

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"We should back Scottish and British industry to build resilient supply chains as a priority. Energy security means being able to keep the lights on without having to rely on others,” said Scottish Conservative energy spokesperson, Liam Kerr.

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A UK Government spokesperson said: “From driving our wind turbines to the electric vehicles that will help power the clean transition, rare earth permanent magnets are crucial to the UK and to all advanced economies.

“That’s why we are committing £20 million of grant funding as part of the critical minerals strategy, to develop a world-class national facility to develop new and innovative manufacturing capability for rare earth permanent magnets in the UK.”

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