FREEDOM

Magnesium is an important metal used in the manufacture of light alloys for the automotive and aerospace industries. It is also used in the production of beverage cans, the desulphurisation of cast iron, and the reduction of certain metals such as titanium and zirconium.

The European Commission considers magnesium to be a critical raw material (CRM) due to China’s virtual monopoly on refined magnesium production (around 90%), which gives it considerable market power. In addition, the currently dominant production process has a very high carbon footprint.

The FREEDOM project therefore aims to develop a supply chain that will secure Europe’s supply of magnesium (Mg) and magnesium oxide (MgO), while addressing current climate challenges through the development of a low-carbon process and the integration of secondary sources of magnesium, in particular dolomitic refractories from smelting and glassmaking furnaces.