LG Innotek said Thursday that it had developed an electric motor for automotive dual-clutch transmission systems that does not need rare earth minerals.

This was part of LG’s efforts to reduce its reliance on rare earths from China such as neodymium and dysprosium, magnetic elements used in DCT motors, to reduce the impact from the large fluctuations in their prices.

A number of auto parts makers have been seeking to develop rare earth-free motors as China controls over 90 percent of the world’s rare earth supplies. The world’s second-largest economy has often used its rare earth resources to gain diplomatic leverage by curbing exports.

LG Group’s IT components maker said it developed a motor that weighed four percent less than a conventional motor with rare earth materials, and will mass produce it at its Mexican plant early next year.

(hkp@heraldcorp.com)