Uses & Applications

Applications and End-Uses for Magnesium

Magnesium (Mg) is a high-criticality base metal with a diverse range of industrial and technological applications. As global demand for advanced materials intensifies, understanding where and how Magnesium is consumed provides essential context for supply chain planning, investment analysis, and policy development.

Key Applications

The primary end-uses of Magnesium span multiple sectors, each contributing to its classification as a critical material. The following applications represent the most significant sources of global demand:

• Aluminum alloy production — Magnesium plays a vital role in aluminum alloy production, where its unique physical and chemical properties provide performance advantages that are difficult to replicate with alternative materials.
• Automotive die casting — Magnesium plays a vital role in automotive die casting, where its unique physical and chemical properties provide performance advantages that are difficult to replicate with alternative materials.
• Steel desulfurization — Magnesium plays a vital role in steel desulfurization, where its unique physical and chemical properties provide performance advantages that are difficult to replicate with alternative materials.
• Aerospace components — Magnesium plays a vital role in aerospace components, where its unique physical and chemical properties provide performance advantages that are difficult to replicate with alternative materials.
• Refractory materials — Magnesium plays a vital role in refractory materials, where its unique physical and chemical properties provide performance advantages that are difficult to replicate with alternative materials.

Sector Breakdown

The largest consuming sector for Magnesium is aluminum alloy production, which accounts for a substantial share of global demand. The second most significant application is automotive die casting, which has shown strong growth in recent years driven by technology adoption and regulatory requirements. Emerging applications across clean energy, defense, and advanced manufacturing are expected to expand the demand profile for Magnesium in the coming decade.

Demand Outlook

With a criticality level of high and a supply risk rating of high, the demand trajectory for Magnesium is closely monitored by governments and industry analysts. Its inclusion on the USGS critical minerals list underscores the strategic importance of securing stable supply for domestic industries. The European Union has similarly recognized its importance through inclusion on the EU Critical Raw Materials list. Growing demand from electrification, digitalization, and defense modernization programs is expected to place additional pressure on existing supply chains.