Magnesium

Magnesium is a lightweight, silvery-white metal known for its high strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance. It is extracted primarily from magnesite ore and seawater. The top producers of magnesium are China, Russia, and Israel. Magnesium is used for producing lightweight alloys and components. It also plays a vital role in the refractory industry due to its excellent thermal resistance.

Sub-Category	Abbreviation	Core Content Range	Size Range
Dead Burned Magnesia	DBM	MgO 90-100%	0-15 mm
Fused Magnesia	FM	MgO 96.6-100%	0-60 mm
Fused Magnesia Chrome	FMCr	MgO 63.2-100%	0-60 mm
Magnesium Aluminium Powder	MgAl Powder	Various	n/a
Magnesium Ingots	Mg Ingots	Mg 99.8-99.99%	n/a
Magnesium Stearate	Mg Stearate	Various	n/a
Sea Water Magnesia	Sea water MgO	Various	n/a

Please note that the above listed sub-categories including its core content and size ranges are just a snapshot of Metalshub’s currently traded raw materials. We are adding new sub-categories on a monthly basis and would be happy to assess your specific requirements to this category.

Metalshub provides producers and consumers of magnesium with a software solution to improve the way they buy or sell it. Our software connects over 2,000 companies in a joint trading network. This allows sellers to discover new buyers of magnesium and buyers to discover new suppliers of magnesium.

For buyers, Metalshub’s Procurement Solution allows refractory producers and other consumers to digitalise their procurement process in order to increase sourcing efficiency, ensure compliant buying, and take data-driven decisions. For sellers, Metalshub’s Sales Solution allows miners, traders, and other sellers to digitalise their sales process, manage inventory, and optimise their sales book.

Prices for magnesium are available through several industry platforms:

1. Fastmarkets: Fastmarkets provides journalistic magnesium prices including data for fused magnesia (97% MgO). These prices are updated regularly and widely used in refractory and steelmaking industries​ (Fastmarkets).
2. Asian Metal: Asian metal tracks magnesia and other magnesium-related products, providing journalistic insights into pricing trends and trade volumes across Asia and global markets​ (Asian Metal).
3. S&P Global: S&P offers journalistic price assessments for magnesium, particularly in China, with detailed reports on factors affecting supply, such as energy costs and material shortages​ (S&P Global).

Beyond these three examples, other providers may also provide prices.

The leading magnesium-producing countries are:

• China – ~85% of global magnesium production
• Russia – ~5% of global magnesium production
• Israel – ~5% of global magnesium production
• United States – ~<5% of global magnesium production
• Kazakhstan – ~<5% of global magnesium production

Some of the key producers of magnesium include:

• Shaanxi Magnesium Industry Group (China) – ~20% of global magnesium production
• RUSAL (Russia) – ~10% of global magnesium production
• Dead Sea Magnesium (Israel) – ~<10% of global magnesium production
• US Magnesium LLC (USA) – ~5% of global magnesium production
• Alliance Magnesium (Canada) – ~5% of global magnesium production

Magnesium is extracted from magnesite ore or seawater. Magnesite is mined, crushed, and processed through thermal reduction or electrolysis to produce magnesium metal. Seawater extraction involves precipitating magnesium hydroxide from seawater, which is then calcined to produce magnesium oxide. This oxide is further processed into magnesium metal for use in alloys and industrial applications.

Magnesium is primarily used in the production of lightweight alloys (~65%) for the automotive and aerospace industries. It is also used as a deoxidiser in steel production (~20%) and in the electronics industry (~10%) for producing components that require strength and low weight. Magnesium ingots, alloys, and powder are commonly traded in these sectors.