How much magnesium is produced nowadays?
By 1990 the production was over 350,000 metric tons per year. Experts anticipate that the demand for magnesium will rise significantly over the next few years to reach close to 500,000 metric tons by the year 2005. Producers have kept ahead of the steady increase in demand for magnesium by building new capacity ahead of the demand curve. Only for automotive industry new projects say the using of the metal is around 40,000 to 50,000 t in the 2004/2005. Magnesium-based alloy castings and wrought products make up about 20% of free-market magnesium shipments.