No winners in Mg battle

摘要

The likely demise of Pechiney's magnesium production will magnesium production will deliver a hefty blow to the European industry, and will further question the ability of western producers to compete in a market which is gradually surrendering to cheaper Chinese imports (MB Apr 23).The current turmoil at Pechiney's Marignac operation in France is taking place against the background of recent staff cuts by Hydro Magnesium and Timminco, and concerns over the future operations of US producers Magcorp and Northwest Alloys (see page 7). At the very least, the closure of Marignac, the EU's only magnesium producer, will create a short-term disruption in the supply chain, similar to the effect that the closure of Dow's magnesium operation had in 1998-99.