American industries looking for more environmentally sound materials often look to magnesium alloys for the answer. Unfortunately, American manufacturers do not provide the vast majority of the magnesium needed. Those stores come from other international corporations, located primarily in Asian nations. Of the Asian nations, China is by far the most prolific supplier to companies worldwide.
The Proof in the Production
The 2010 China Magnesium Industry Report stated that they were a large part of the ever-expanding magnesium production industry. The country went from 600,000 tons in 2006 to more than 900,000 tons four years later in 2010. According to the report, the country supplies 90% of the worldwide supply of magnesium. To further illustrate the explosion of growth in magnesium production, simply look at levels in 1993, when the production tonnage was too low to even measure. The country mines the mineral from its abundant dolemite and magnesite deposits and also the saltwater that abuts the western portion of the large nation. The country also maintain hundreds of millions of tons in magnesium reserves in the form of magnesite. That is untapped potential for future use. With it, China could easily maintain its position as the industry powerhouse.
Worldwide Dependence Problem?
With over 90% of the world's supply of magnesium coming from one country, one could argue that a dangerous dependence has formed and with a politically volatile country. One potential problem was introduced by the country itself. Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation's Light Metals Update found that the demand for magnesium is surpassing the country's capacity to produce it. China is dealing with what the article described as a "severe electricity shortage" that has compromised the growth potential of the country and could cause issues with current production. With the world dependent on China for magnesium, the electric problem could become a disaster. The problem further escalates as magnesium is used for increasing number of different products.
In addition to creating a supply problem, the electricity issues are also increasing magnesium's cost of production, a cost that is passed along to manufacturers and consumers. The rising cost could slow the development of new uses for the metal.
Other Potential Sources
Australia's report was self-serving, used to highlight their investment in more energy efficient magnesium extraction processes that would allow the country to produce more magnesium as a much cheaper rate than the Chinese magnesium powerhouse. Other countries are exploring similar projects.
The Chinese producers have uncovered what could be known as the cost of dealing with a rockstar metal that magnesium has become. The light weight, strength, corrosion resistance and formability traits are driving the popularity of magnesium in manufacturing consumer and industrial goods. The boon brought profits and demand headaches. The country's plight should be a cautionary example for other countries like Australia and Russia who seek to steal the Chinese edge in the magnesium alloy market.
nanoMAG, LLC is a subsidiary of Thixomat, Inc. a company with more than 20 years experience in the research, development, and marketing of technologies for the production of products utilizing magnesium alloy. Based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, nanoMAG supplies precision magnesium sheet and short-run specialty alloys to diverse industries. Contact nanoMAG at http://www.nanomag.us.
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