Products

The high quality of MFE's raw material (Dolomite) will allow for the production of high quality products. In addition to Magnesium and Magnesium Alloys, the Al-thermic process will generate three by-products:

PCC (Precipitated Calcium Carbonate, CaCO3)
Al-Mg-Spinel (MgAl2O4) and Aluminium-Oxide
Dry Ice and liquid CO2

All of these products benefit from increasing demand and large local and regional markets.

Magnesium & Magnesium Alloys

MFE will supply 99.9% pure Magnesium ingots and market standard Magnesium Alloys (ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001). Production is scheduled to commence in 2026 and to ramp up over a period of about three years to 15.000 mt p.a. Medium term and subject to market demand, MFE may increase its production capacity further to a level of up to 50.000 mt p.a. Global market demand for primary magnesium currently stands at c. 1 Mio mt p.a. (c. US$ 4-5 bn). Almost half of this is used for alloying - mainly Aluminium. The other half is used in a multitude of applications particularly in light vehicle construction where the change to e-mobility (weight reduction) is a big catalyst. The market is expected to grow by c. 3.9% p.a. over the next decade (CM Group, 4/2022).

PCC (Precipitated Calcium Carbonate)

PCC is derived from the reaction of CO2 with CaO and possesses the same chemical formula (CaCO3) as natural Calcium Carbonate (limestone), but is chemically purer than natural limestone. It is used mainly for the production of paper, paint, plastics, rubber, adhesives, etc. due to its mechanical and optical properties. PCC is typically supplied in dry, uncoated or coated form with >98% CaCO3 content and a median particle size. It can be shipped either in bulk or in bags. Because of its many applications, the global PCC market is expected to grow at about 10% p.a. and reach a level of c. US$11 bn by 2030 (Regional Research Reports, 2/2023).

Al-Mg-Spinel (Aluminum-Oxide)

Al-Mg-Spinel (MgAl2O4), also known as Magnesium Aluminate Spinel, is an important raw material for refractories and other advanced engineering ceramics, because of its many excellent properties such as high melting point (2135°C), high thermal shock resistance, and excellent slag corrosion resistance. Recent interest in MgAl2O4 is also due to various applications such as humidity-sensing and PEM fuel cells. As a result of the many applications, the global market for Al-Mg-Spinel is forecast to grow strongly. West, Central & South Eastern European Market alone is forecast to grow from currently c. US$6 bn to over US$10 bn by 2033 (fmi, 4/2023).

Dry Ice & Liquid CO2

Dry ice is the solid form of liquid CO2 and is used in a multitude of applications such as flash-freezing food or laboratory biological samples, carbonating beverages, making ice cream and solidifying oil spills. One application that is rapidly gaining importance is the refrigeration of foodstuff in electric delivery vans and airplanes where refrigeration systems are not available. As a result of such catalysts, Eastern European and Balkan sales of Dry Ice are expected to almost double to c. US$620m by 2033 (fmi, 5/2023).