[Magnesium Ingot Transactions Increased Significantly, Rigid Demand Support Became More Evident, and a One-Way Market Was Unlikely in the Short Term] Today, quotations in the main production areas for 99.90% magnesium ingot were 16,600-16,700 yuan / mt, and low-priced supply in the market increased.

[Magnesium Alloys Lead New Quality Productive Forces, Hydrogen Storage Goes Global + Vehicle Weight Reduction Reaches New Peaks] China’s magnesium alloy sector achieved two major breakthroughs, demonstrating the strong capabilities of indigenous innovation. On the one hand, a large-scale magnesium-based solid-state hydrogen storage device equipped with proprietary technology was successfully loaded at Shanghai Waigaoqiao Port and shipped to Malaysia, addressing longstanding pain points in traditional hydrogen storage and transportation and filling a gap in international maritime transport technology. On the other hand, the semi-solid injection-molded magnesium alloy seat frame assembly of FAW Hongqi was successfully installed, marking a key upgrade in vehicle lightweighting, with significant weight reduction achieved for each assembly. Spanning the two core fields of hydrogen storage and transportation and vehicle lightweighting, these achievements accelerated the scaled-up application of the magnesium alloy industry.

[SMM Magnesium Weekly Review: Magnesium Market Continued to Consolidate at High Levels, with Cost Support and Demand Stalemate Persisting] This week, the overall magnesium industry chain continued to consolidate at high levels, with prices of all categories remaining largely stable. The raw material dolomite market operated steadily, with differentiated supply across regions but overall stability, while the procurement pace on the demand side remained steady. The magnesium ingot market remained in a supply and demand stalemate, as producers showed strong reluctance to sell, and low circulating inventory supported firm quotations. However, both domestic trade and foreign trade demand appeared weak, transactions were sluggish, and FOB quotations stayed at high levels, though actual deals were limited. The magnesium powder market remained stable with a firm tone, domestic trade demand continued to recover steadily, foreign trade growth was limited, and cost support remained in place. The magnesium alloy market's benchmark price held steady, processing fees remained firm, enterprise operating rates rebounded, and downstream demand gradually recovered, though the pace of growth slowed, with overall transactions remaining mild. Looking ahead, the tug-of-war between cost support and weak demand is expected to continue, and the market may continue to consolidate at high levels.

The University of Tsukuba in Japan successfully developed a new-type magnesium-air solid-state battery, using a nitrogen-doped porous graphene cathode to solve the problem of chloride corrosion, providing a high-safety, low-cost technological pathway for flexible electronics and wearable devices. At the same time, the Record Ridge magnesium mine project in British Columbia, Canada, has triggered strong opposition from the local tourism community over plans to transport ore to China for processing, and has been halted by litigation, with a court hearing scheduled for March 10. The two developments respectively highlight magnesium’s cutting-edge applications in new energy technology and the real-world tensions in resource development.

[SMM Magnesium Express] Researchers at Japan's University of Tsukuba have developed an all-solid-state magnesium-air rechargeable battery featuring a nitrogen-doped porous graphene cathode. This design replaces platinum-based cathodes and uses a magnesium chloride-based solid polymer electrolyte, successfully addressing chloride-induced degradation that previously limited this technology. The battery maintains performance even when bent to 120 degrees, offering high energy density with enhanced safety, opening new pathways for magnesium in next-generation, low-cost energy storage systems.

[SMM Magnesium Express] West High Yield Resources' Record Ridge magnesium project in BC faces strong local opposition after receiving provincial approval. The deposit hosts over 10.8Mt of high-grade magnesium but sits adjacent to Red Mountain resort and world-class bike trails. Opponents fear asbestos-laden dust threatens the C$40M annual tourism economy and resident health. The company plans to ship ore via U.S. ports to China for processing, with no plans to return refined product to Canada, raising questions about critical minerals supply chain benefits. Legal challenges are underway.

[SMM Weekly Magnesium Review: The Short-Term Volatile Pattern in the Magnesium Market Remained Unchanged, with Downstream Resumption and Geopolitical Developments Becoming Key Variables] This week, the domestic dolomite market held steady, with the supply side showing regional structural divergence: top-tier enterprises in the Wutai area halted production, while other major producing regions replenished capacity in a timely manner, keeping overall national supply broadly stable. On the demand side, operating rates at primary magnesium enterprises in Shaanxi, Shanxi, and Inner Mongolia remained stable, rigid demand was released in an orderly manner, and raw material inventory was ample, reinforcing the foundation for market stability. The domestic magnesium ingot market consolidated at high levels, the tug-of-war between sellers and buyers intensified, and prices fluctuated rangebound. On the supply side, support came from costs and tight spot cargo, enterprises showed strong reluctance to sell, low-priced supply was scarce, and bargaining room was extremely limited. On the demand side, both domestic and overseas demand were weak: in domestic trade, downstream buyers only restocked for rigid demand and purchasing intensity was relatively weak; in export markets, escalation in the Middle East situation disrupted shipping and pushed up ocean freight rates, export shipments were suspended, overseas purchasing plans were delayed, and amid the supply and demand stalemate, prices lacked momentum for a one-way move. The export market for magnesium ingot was hit by fluctuations in ocean freight rates and international developments, with strong wait-and-see sentiment across the industry, weak transactions, and rising uncertainty. The magnesium powder market, supported by raw materials, stayed stable with slight adjustments, mainly fulfilling earlier orders; new orders were few, and both domestic and export markets remained cautious. The magnesium alloy market held up well: magnesium ingot and aluminum ingot prices reinforced cost support, enterprise operating rates rebounded slightly, and demand recovered as downstream die-casting plants gradually resumed operations. Market transactions were mild, and prices were expected to remain largely stable in the short term.

[SMM Survey: North American Magnesium Industry Accelerates Layout, Chinese Export Prices Rise, Global Magnesium Market Awaits Post-Holiday Volume Release] Recently, the global magnesium industry has shown a pattern of accelerated regional layout alongside trade competition. In North America, Western Magnesium relocated to a new plant in Las Vegas, accelerating the construction of its clean magnesium demonstration production line; it plans to commission its continuous vacuum reduction process within six months, aiming to verify scalability feasibility and promote low-carbon magnesium production. Innomin Minerals is advancing a large magnesium ore project in British Columbia, Canada, with drilling confirming near-surface wide mineralization, magnesium grade consistently above 20%, leaching recovery rate close to 99%, and associated nickel, cobalt, and platinum group metals further highlighting the resource value. On the export market, post-Chinese New Year, China's magnesium ingot FOB offers broke through $2,400-2,450/mt, showing a significant increase compared to pre-holiday levels. Orders accumulated during the holiday are mainly for March shipment, with concentrated post-holiday shipments by traders boosting short-term activity; however, overseas buyers, affected by high ocean freight rates and high prices, are placing orders cautiously, with a strong wait-and-see sentiment. Industry insiders expect a potential peak in new overseas orders from late February to early March, with subsequent trends needing to monitor the pace of European inventory digestion and changes in ocean freight rates.

[SMM Magnesium Weekly Review: Magnesium Market Held Up Well After Holiday, Raw Material Divergence Tightened Supply, Domestic and Foreign Trade Game Intensified] This week, the magnesium industry chain overall showed a pattern of holding up well, with prices of various varieties rising slightly. Raw material side, dolomite market was stable with some increases; top-tier enterprises in Wutai area continued to halt production, but other production areas promptly filled the gap, keeping overall supply stable. It is expected that as holiday ended and logistics costs pulled back, subsequent delivery-to-factory prices will see a slight decrease. Magnesium ingot market held up well, with offers in main production areas raised to 16,600 yuan/mt; supply side had strong reluctance to sell, combined with sufficient pre-holiday presales, leading to tight spot circulation. Domestic trade restocking for rigid demand supported transactions, while foreign trade inquiries were active but actual orders were cautious, with FOB offers rising to $2,400-2,450/mt. Magnesium powder market operated steadily, supported by raw materials, prices rose slightly, mainly executing previous orders; foreign trade expects new orders to be placed gradually, while domestic trade procurement mostly plans to start in March. Magnesium alloy market benchmark price held up well, processing fee remained stable and firm, enterprises mainly focused on scheduled production, and the tight supply-demand balance pattern continued. Overall, post-holiday magnesium market is in an adjustment phase, structural contraction on the supply side supports prices, the game between domestic and foreign trade intensifies, and subsequent attention should be paid to the pace of European inventory digestion and changes in ocean freight rates.

[SMM Magnesium Express] Western Magnesium has relocated to a new Las Vegas facility to accelerate its clean magnesium demonstration line. The 44,000 sq ft plant utilizes proprietary continuous vacuum reduction technology, producing 99.8% pure primary magnesium in a single step with significantly reduced energy consumption and carbon emissions. Commissioning targeted within six months to validate scalability for commercial deployment.