China Metal Magnesium Price: Market Snapshot, Grades And Price Drivers

Dec 16, 2022

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Michael Brown

Michael is an international trade manager at ZhenAn. He has extensive experience in global market operations and is in charge of establishing and maintaining industrial partnerships across Asia, Europe, and the Americas. His negotiation skills and market insights have helped the company expand its global presence.

China Metal Magnesium Price: Market Snapshot, Grades and Price Drivers

1. China Magnesium Metal Market Overview

China is the world's largest producer and exporter of magnesium metal, accounting for a significant share of global magnesium supply. Chinese magnesium ingots are widely used in:

Aluminum alloy production

Automotive die casting

Titanium sponge manufacturing

Steel desulfurization

Magnesium alloy applications

The majority of Chinese magnesium production uses the Pidgeon process, which reduces dolomite with ferrosilicon under high-temperature vacuum conditions.

2. Historical Magnesium Price Snapshot

The following price data is provided as a historical market reference only.

Product	Specification	Export Quotation	Basis
Magnesium Metal	Mg99.9%	USD 3,130–3,170/ton	FOB China, December 16, 2022

Note:
Magnesium prices fluctuate according to:

Raw material costs

Energy prices

Production capacity

Export conditions

Downstream demand

The above figures should not be used as current procurement prices. Buyers should request updated quotations based on the latest market conditions.

3. Magnesium Metal Grades and Purity

According to GB/T 3499, industrial magnesium ingots are commonly classified by purity level.

Grade	Magnesium Content
Mg9990	≥99.90% Mg
Mg9995	≥99.95% Mg
Mg9998	≥99.98% Mg
Mg9999	≥99.99% Mg

Higher-purity magnesium is generally selected for applications requiring:

Lower impurity levels

Better alloy performance

Higher corrosion resistance

More consistent processing performance

4. Magnesium Metal Export Price Reference

Product	Specification	Historical Export Price (USD/ton)
Magnesium Metal	Mg99.9%	3,130–3,170

Price Basis: FOB China

When comparing magnesium quotations, buyers should confirm whether the price is based on:

USD/ton magnesium ingot

Magnesium content basis

FOB, CIF or EXW terms

Different quotation methods may lead to significant differences.

5. Main Factors Affecting Magnesium Prices

5.1 Production Cost and Supply Factors

Chinese magnesium production mainly relies on the Pidgeon process.

Major cost components include:

Ferrosilicon

Dolomite

Coal

Electricity

Labor and environmental compliance costs

Because magnesium production is energy-intensive, energy prices have a strong influence on market costs.

5.2 Downstream Demand

Major magnesium consumption sectors include:

Aluminum Alloy Industry

Magnesium is used as an alloying element to improve:

Strength

Corrosion resistance

Casting performance

Automotive Die Casting

Magnesium alloys are valued for:

Lightweight properties

High strength-to-weight ratio

Weight reduction in vehicle components

Applications include:

Automotive housings

Structural components

Electronic equipment parts

Titanium Production

Magnesium is used as a reducing agent in the Kroll process for titanium sponge production.

Steel Desulfurization

Magnesium powder or granules are injected into molten steel to remove sulfur and improve steel cleanliness.

6. Policy and Market Factors

6.1 Environmental Policies

Magnesium production requires strict environmental management due to:

Energy consumption

Emission control requirements

Furnace operation standards

Environmental inspections and capacity adjustments may influence supply.

6.2 Export Conditions

International magnesium prices may be affected by:

Export policies

Freight costs

Currency exchange rates

Regional inventory levels

6.3 Global Metal Market Trends

Magnesium prices are also influenced by:

Aluminum market trends

Automotive industry demand

Global economic conditions

Energy market fluctuations

7. Magnesium Metal Purchasing Guide

When requesting a magnesium quotation, buyers should clearly specify:

Product Information

Include:

Magnesium grade (Mg9990, Mg9995, Mg9998, Mg9999)

Ingot size requirement

Chemical composition requirements

Required quantity

Commercial Terms

Confirm:

Price basis (FOB / CIF / EXW)

Loading port

Delivery time

Packaging method

Quality Documents

Professional suppliers should provide:

Certificate of Analysis (COA)

Chemical composition report

Packing list

Shipping documents

8. Magnesium Metal vs Other Alloying Materials

Material	Main Advantage	Typical Applications
Magnesium Metal	Lightweight, strong alloying effect	Aluminum alloys, die casting
Aluminum	Good corrosion resistance and processing	General structural alloys
Ferrosilicon	Silicon addition and deoxidation	Steelmaking
Ferrotitanium	Grain refinement and stabilization	Special steels

FAQ About China Magnesium Metal Prices

1. Why does China dominate magnesium production?

China has abundant raw materials, established Pidgeon process technology and large-scale production capacity, making it the world's leading magnesium producer.