MAGNESIUM COMPOUNDS

Production In 2022, the estimated domestic production of magnesium compounds was 450 kt magnesium oxide equivalent, 4 percent more than that in 2021. Seawater and natural brines accounted for about 67 percent of U.S. magnesium compound production in 2022. The value of U.S. production of all types of magnesium compounds was estimated to be $460 million. In 2022, world mine production of magnesite, excluding U.S. production, was estimated to be 27 Mt magnesium oxide equivalent, 5 percent less than that in 2021. China was the world’s leading producer of magnesite, accounting for 63 percent of the estimated world total, followed by Australia (10 percent), Turkey (7 percent) and Brazil (6 percent). Consumption and end uses In 2022, the estimated apparent consumption of magnesium compounds in the United States was 950 kt, 5 percent less than that in 2021. About 75 percent of the magnesium compounds consumed in the United States were used in agricultural, chemical, construction, deicing, environmental and industrial applications in the form of caustic-calcined magnesia, magnesium chloride, magnesium hydroxide and magnesium sulfates. The remaining was used for refractories in the form of dead-burned magnesia, fused magnesia and olivine. The primary end use of dead-burned magnesia and fused magnesia was for refractory products; however, fused magnesia has not been produced in the United States since 2013. Caustic-calcined magnesia is mainly used in agriculture for feed supplements and fertilizer; to produce magnesium hydroxide; and in environmental applications, such as wastewater treatment. Magnesium hydroxide is primarily used for water treatment, fire-retardant additives and the production of magnesium-based chemicals. Magnesium chloride’s chief uses are deicing, dust control, drilling fluids and environmental applications. Foreign trade According to the U.S. Census Bureau, imports of dead-burned and fused magnesia in 2022 were 238 kt, 11 percent less than those in 2021. The leading sources of U.S. imports were China including Hong Kong (77 percent) and Brazil (12 percent). The annual average import unit value for dead-burned and fused magnesia was $800/t in 2022, 39 percent more than that in 2021. Exports of dead-burned and fused magnesia in 2022 were 8 kt, slightly more than those in 2021. The annual average export unit value (free alongside ship [f.a.s.]) for dead-burned and fused magnesia in 2022 was $1,066/t, 5 percent more than that in 2021. Imports of caustic-calcined magnesia in 2022 were 284 kt, 14 percent more than those in 2021. The leading source of U.S. imports were China including Hong Kong (75 percent) and Canada (19 percent). The annual average import unit value for causticcalcined magnesia in 2022 was $361/t, essentially unchanged from that in 2021. Exports of causticcalcined magnesia in 2022 were 61 kt, 81 percent more than those of 2021. The annual average export unit value (f.a.s.) for caustic-calcined magnesia in 2022 was $948/t, 6 percent more than that in 2021. Imports of magnesium hydroxide in 2022 were 13 kt, 3 percent more than those in 2021. The leading source of U.S. imports were Mexico (57 percent), the Netherlands (15 percent) and Israel (14 percent). The annual average import unit value for magnesium hydroxide in 2022 was $1,993/t, 20 percent more than that in 2021. Exports of magnesium hydroxide in 2022 were 15 kt, 11 percent less than those in 2021. The annual average export unit value (f.a.s.) for magnesium hydroxide in 2022 was $1,141/t, 23 percent more than that in 2021. Imports of magnesium chloride in 2022 were 57 kt, 39 percent less than those in 2021. The leading sources of U.S. imports were Israel (51 percent), the Netherlands (25 percent) and Austria (9 percent). The annual average import unit value for magnesium chloride in 2022 was $458/t, 43 percent more than that in 2021. Exports of magnesium chloride in 2022 were 15 kt, 24 percent more than those in 2021. The annual average export unit value (f.a.s.) for magnesium chloride in 2022 was $595/t, 16 percent less than that in 2021. Outlook Consumption of dead-burned and fused magnesia is expected to closely follow trends in the steel industry. Owing to high inflation and interest rates, the World Steel Association short-term outlook anticipates world steel demand to increase by 1 percent in 2023, while increasing by 1.6 percent in the United States. For all magnesium compounds, consumption is expected to follow the general growth trend of the agricultural, construction and manufacturing industries. The International Monetary Fund projects that the global economic output will increase by 2.7 percent in 2023, while increasing 1 percent in the United States.

MAGNESIUM COMPOUNDS

Authored by:
Adam M. Merrill

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From sessions to strategy: Revealing long-term and emerging innovation trends in data analytics, intelligent systems and automation

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To view the past issues of the UCA magazine you must be a member of SME/UCA.

LITHIUM

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