Magnesium
EU import reliance for magnesium is 100%. China supplied 97% of the EU’s magnesium between 2016 and 2020. The EU has made no primary magnesium since 2001.
Figures
Magnesium in four figures
EU import reliance
100%
net imports as a share of EU apparent consumption
Source: European Commission, 2023 study (2016 to 2020)
World production
86%
China’s share of world primary magnesium, 2025
Source: USGS 2026
Main EU source
97%
China. Next is Israel with 1%.
Source: European Commission, 2023 study (2016 to 2020)
EU demand
121kt
of magnesium metal a year, 2016 to 2020
Source: SCRREEN, magnesium factsheet
Data as of 27 October 2026
Supply in Europe
Europe’s own supply
EU capacity as a share of EU magnesium demand, 2016 to 2020.
- EU demand100%
- EU extraction capacityNo figure
- EU processing capacity0%
- EU recycling capacityAbout 13%
One grain is 1% of EU magnesium demand. The Court gives no extraction figure for magnesium. Source: European Court of Auditors, Special report 04/2026, Figure 5; SCRREEN, capacity 2016 to 2020
Outlook
What comes next
- Projects due by 2030
- 17% of 2030 demand
- EU Strategic Projects
- Two magnesium projects joined the list in October 2026. The Commission says the 106 projects could fully meet the 2030 extraction benchmark for magnesium and cover 51% of the processing benchmark.
Sources: SCRREEN; European Commission, selections of March 2025, June 2025 and October 2026; summed by Hercinia
Origin
Where magnesium comes from
Use
Where magnesium is used
Castings
69%
of US primary magnesium use in 2025
Source: USGS 2026
Aluminium alloys
15%
of US use. Desulphurising iron and steel took 9%.
Source: USGS 2026
Events
Events and measures
- Oct 2026
- European Union
Two magnesium projects join the list of Strategic Projects.
Source: European Commission, selections of March 2025, June 2025 and October 2026; summed by Hercinia
- Oct 2021
- China
Curbs on power use cut magnesium output. Twelve European industry groups warn of Europe-wide shutdowns.
Source: International Magnesium Association
- European Commission, Study on the critical raw materials for the EU (2023)
- European Court of Auditors, Special report 04/2026, Critical raw materials for the energy transition
- USGS, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026
- SCRREEN, magnesium factsheet
- European Commission, press release IP/26/2113, 9 October 2026
- International Magnesium Association, Cross-industry group warns against catastrophic impact of Chinese magnesium supply shortage, 22 October 2021
