2014 magnesium metal market overview and 2015 magnesium metal market outlook
Trapped in double difficulties of sluggish demand from both domestic and overseas markets and producers’ lack of capital, the 2014 magnesium metal market saw stagnant activities and the already low prices declined time and again under great pressure: the average concluding prices decreased by around RMB1,500/t (USD244/t) in 2014 compared with that of 2013. Many magnesium ingot traders could not bear the ever shrinking profit margin and got out of the market. And lots of plants in Shanxi and Ningxia still face heavy losses while magnesium plants in Shaanxi are on the edge of losing. Will the market see any improvement in 2015?
Gone was the favorable magnesium production cost under dull semi-coke market in 2014, can Shaanxi maintain its dominance of magnesium market in 2015?
Using raw coal for the production of semi-coke and producing magnesium metal with tail gas from that process, since its first application in 2008, this technology has enabled magnesium-related plants in Shaanxi province to achieve the goals of waste recovery and fuel cost saving, and makes their advantage prominent through this kind of circular economy pattern. However, under the influence of stagnant sales of semi coke, magnesium metal production suffered setbacks again and again, some of which were even forced to halt production because of insufficient gas supply. Will the semi coke market be the bottleneck factor limiting the production of magnesium metal in the future? Can Shaanxi continue to maintain its leading position in magnesium industry in 2015?
Influence of China’s elimination of magnesium metal export tariff
Since 1 January, 2013, China has canceled the 10% export tax, which had begun being imposed since 2008, of magnesium ingot and magnesium alloys, and this reduced the price gap of magnesium aluminum products. Can China-origin magnesium metal strengthen its competitiveness in the global market in 2015?
Opportunities and challenges for magnesium markets in Europe, Asia and America in 2015
Around 90% of the raw magnesium in Europe, Asia and America comes from China, as major consuming areas of magnesium metal, how will the demand in those areas trend forward in 2015?
Magnesium powder market sees weak operations in 2014 as a result of falling demand from steel mills, can it see any turnaround in 2015?
Ever since 2014, steel mills in and out of China have all suffered from serious overcapacity and thus generally reduced output, which led to a reduction of magnesium powder demand and deals as well as stagnation of shipment, and the depressing condition has continued for the whole year. With the adjustment of downstream steel mills and magnesium powder supply condition, can magnesium market embrace its “spring re-greening” in the coming year?
2015 magnesium industry prospect and its possible influence
Fully realized the harm of over dependence upon primary products, Chinese magnesium industry has determined to change the situation and focused more on potential domestic market development. They decided to combine production, R&D, cooperation and innovation together in order to create new magnesium alloy products and improve the industrialization level of further processing. Is there possibility of any breakthrough in 2015?
How to adjust industry structure and explore new economic growth points for magnesium metal?
In the process of expanding domestic demand, adjusting industry structure and exploring new economic growth points, can magnesium metal be China’s strategic choice of new material? In regard to new energy areas like magnesium matrix battery, electric automobile and energy reservation etc., can magnesium metal see rapid and wide-range development?
Qinghai Salt Lake Magnesium Metal Project’s impact to magnesium industry
Qinghai Salt Lake Magnesium Metal Project shocked magnesium industry both in terms of investment scale and industry impact. What kind of influence will the project’s operation have upon the industry layout and structure adjustment? Is it an opportunity or a challenge on earth? How should magnesium market participants react to the changes it will bring about?
