Magnesium Inventories Decline as Smelters Shut Down for Maintenance, Regional Disparities Evident

[SMM Magnesium Express]Today, according to China Securities Journal, Xu Hong, Chairman of Yongmaotai, elaborated systematically on the company's magnesium alloy strategic layout in an exclusive interview. The company defines its magnesium alloy business as a "second growth curve," establishing a magnesium alloy division and building new magnesium alloy die-casting factories in two major bases in Anhui and Chongqing. The planned production lines will exceed 20, covering models from 650T to 7000T, and introduce semi-solid forming technology, targeting core structural components such as automotive instrument panel beams, electric drive housings, and rear floor panels. Xu Hong noted that by 2030, the per-vehicle magnesium usage in China is expected to increase from the current 8 kilograms to 45 kilograms, corresponding to an incremental market of approximately 50 billion yuan. As production capacity gradually ramps up, the large-scale application of magnesium alloy in automotive and robotics sectors is anticipated to accelerate.

[SMM Magnesium Express]On July 14, according to industry media reports, Shaanxi Nonferrous Metals Holding Group completed the largest single capital investment outside the province in Tacheng, Xinjiang, injecting 2 billion yuan to establish a mining investment company and accelerate the layout of magnesium-based new materials industry. This move aims to build a stable dolomite ore supply base, forming deep coordination between "mine-side—processing-side" with Shaanxi Fugu's globally largest primary magnesium smelting capacity, while leveraging the Bactou Port in Tacheng to open an export channel to Central Asia, promoting a full-chain layout of the magnesium industry. With both resource and export channels fully connected, China's upstream resource control and pricing influence in the global magnesium market are expected to gradually strengthen.

[Magnesium Ingot: Price Holding and Concessions Coexist, Weak Demand Drags on Transactions] Today, on the supply side, after consecutive price cuts, magnesium ingot producers’ willingness to hold prices firm strengthened, but some continued to offer concessions to facilitate transactions amid inventory pressure. On the demand side, markets in and outside China remained mediocre, with export quotations under pressure. It is expected to be in the doldrums in the short term.