Tech breakthroughs & regulatory policies propel magnesium industry’s transformation [SMM survey]

Hearing on Great Salt Lake Lease Postponed Due to US Company Bankruptcy, Environmental Concerns Spark Controversy

A hearing regarding the termination of US Magnesium's mineral rights lease at the Great Salt Lake has been postponed following the company's recent bankruptcy filing. The Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands stated that it is taking legal measures to safeguard state interests during the bankruptcy proceedings. The division had previously sued US Magnesium, alleging that the company failed to properly manage waste ponds containing hazardous chemicals during partial shutdowns, posing a threat to the public and the environment. US Magnesium argued that it faces challenges such as competition from low-priced magnesium products from China and equipment failures, and while it plans to transition to lithium production, it accuses the state government of hindering its development due to public pressure over the declining water levels of the Great Salt Lake. The environmental group "Friends of the Great Salt Lake" emphasized the severity of pollution management issues left by the company, noting that its plant has been identified in studies as responsible for 25% of local air pollution. As environmental crises intensify with the shrinking of the Great Salt Lake, the conflict between economic transition and ecological protection continues.

Japan Develops New-Type Solid Electrolyte, Breaking Through Bottlenecks in Magnesium-Based Hydrogen Storage Technology

A team from Tokyo University of Science in Japan has successfully developed a high-performance solid electrolyte that overcomes the technical challenge of magnesium-based hydrogen storage materials requiring operation at temperatures above 300 degrees Celsius. By optimizing the ratio of hydrides, the team created a stable material with ultra-high hydride ion conductivity at just 25 degrees Celsius, breaking through the limitations of traditional materials where electrochemical stability and conductivity are difficult to balance. A magnesium-hydrogen battery constructed with this electrolyte achieved a reversible hydrogen absorption and desorption capacity of up to 2,030 milliampere-hours per gram at 90 degrees Celsius, nearly reaching the theoretical hydrogen storage limit of magnesium. Published in the journal Science, this achievement provides a new technological pathway for commercial applications in areas such as hydrogen energy storage and fuel cell vehicles, significantly advancing the development of a hydrogen-based society.

New Customs Supervision Policy Implemented, Magnesium Product Exports Bid Farewell to "Invoice Purchase" Model

Starting October 1, China's export customs declaration supervision policy has been formally tightened. Under the new regulations, enterprises acting as export agents through market procurement trade or comprehensive foreign trade services must simultaneously report the company information and export value of the actual entrusted exporter when filing pre-payment declarations. If a company fails to report accurately, the relevant business will be treated as self-operated exports, and the agent will be responsible for corresponding corporate income tax obligations. The new policy clarifies that the "actual entrusted exporter" refers to the genuine producer or seller of the exported goods. Going forward, magnesium product exports must strictly comply with customs declarations under the name of the actual producer, and the industry's traditional "tax-inclusive invoice purchase" transaction model is expected to decrease significantly. This change aims to strengthen tax collection and management, and further standardize the order of export trade.