I had the weekend "off" and this was the first I saw today! If posted, you know! But if posted, this could lead to something chaotic in the buissness world… "It´s on" modus reached?
Chinese curbs on magnesium threaten global automotive industry
20 Oct 2021
Chinese curbs on magnesium production, a key component of aluminium alloys, threaten the production capability of the automotive industry.
China has a near-monopoly on the production of magnesium, a key component in the production of aluminium alloy. Around 87% of the world’s magnesium production comes from China, with most of it coming from Yulin City in Shaanxi province.
The production of magnesium is incredibly energy intensive. To produce one tonne of the metal takes 35-40 megawatt-hours of power. Additionally, the metal is especially difficult to store, with oxidisation occurring after three months.
In early October, the Development and Reform Commission of Yulin City published a new document on achieving energy intensity and consumption reduction targets by 2021. The document stipulated that major energy-intensive industries or enterprises should reduce or stop their production from September to December.
These production curbs have particularly impacted magnesium production, with 35 of 50 magnesium smelters made to close until the end of the year. Local officials told the rest to cut production levels by 50% to ensure energy consumption targets are successfully hit.
https://www.just-auto.com/news/chinese-curbs-on-magnesium-threaten-global-automotive-industry/