International Magnesium Information Bulletin-5

1.INFICON details its Magnesium-Sensitive Crystal for OLED deposition
OLED producers have been struggling with the deposition of magnesium materials during the OLED production process. INFICON has developed high-level magnesium-sensitive crystals specifically for OLED deposition, that significantly shorten the initial time delay in magnesium monitoring, while maintaining high stability and reproducibility.
The following application note details INFICON crystals for OLED deposition, the development process, and the experiments the company performed to characterize and evaluate the crystal quality to make sure it offers the highest possible solution for the OLED industry.
To develop the INFICON Magnesium Sensitive OLED Crystal Line, a detailed investigation was performed into all components of crystal manufacturing and processing parameters including the shape and finish of the crystal, electrode thickness, electrode materials, and the coating rate of the electrode. The materials and process parameters were optimized by fabricating a wide variety of crystals, testing them, and analyzing the results thoroughly. Using the optimized materials and process parameters proven in both research and field studies, INFICON Magnesium Sensitive OLED Crystals were born. These, and all INFICON, Maxtek, and Fil-Tech crystals are fabricated at INFICON EDC, Inc. in Kansas, USA. INFICON currently offers gold and alloy electrode materials for the Standard Mg Sensitive OLED Crystal Line. In addition, a higher grade and more stable magnesium sensitive product line of crystals (that are essentially free of activity dips) are also available for both electrode materials.
All the experimental results presented in this technical note were obtained using the High Grade Mg Sensitive OLED Crystals.
Source: https://www.oled-info.com/inficon-details-its-magnesium-sensitive-crystal-oled-deposition

2. Tighttight Mg supplies ease, market remains uneasy

US magnesium market participants surveyed by Argus broadly expect prices to decline in the long term on easing supply constraints but were hesitant to book long term deals amid wider market uncertainties.
US Magnesium, the largest producer of magnesium metal in the country, declared force majeure on its production in September 2021 but has subsequently provided few details on the origin of the outage. Nonetheless, the force majeure cut into supplies noticeably, prompting at least one consumer, Kaiser Aluminum, to declare a force majeure at its Warwick facility because of a lack of deliveries from the company.
Kaiser returned to normal production after finding alternative suppliers and does not expect to receive any more shipments from US Magnesium under its current supply contract. Outside of the Kaiser force majeure, market participants surveyed by Argus have received few indications about when the major domestic supplier will return and have had to plan around the outage based on what limited indications they have received.
The supply shortage induced by the US Magnesium force majeure fostered the conditions that allowed for a spike in Chinese imports despite anti-dumping tariffs as well as the return of Russian imports in July after tariffs increased following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in late February.
US Magnesium did not return Argus inquires on when it planned to return to production.
During the supply crunch, Argus prices for 99.9pc grade magnesium in the US rose to an all-time high of $19,842-22,046/t ($9-10/lb) in the 5 April assessment from $4,850-5,071/t on 7 September 2021 prior to the force majeure. Magnesium prices have declined from these all-time highs to still atypically high levels of $13,228-15,432/t on the 30 August assessment where they have since remained.
Alternative sources of the metal have also been tough to come by for domestic consumers. Since February, US buyers have been hesitant to purchase magnesium from typically larger supplier, Russia, because of the war in Ukraine, which has led to increased tariffs. The US imported 2,084t of primary magnesium from Russia in the first quarter of 2022, up from 1,576t a year earlier but only 236t in the second quarter, down from 1,177t in the same quarter of 2021, according to Commerce Department data.
Still, there are some signs that the widespread tightness has pushed importers to return to Russian suppliers as inbound volumes into the US from the country rose to 661t in July, up widely from 189t in July 2021.
Resource: https://www.argusmedia.com/en/news/2375893-tight-mg-supplies-ease-market-remains-uneasy

3. Latrobe Magnesium signs binding MoU with Société Le Nickel for supply of ferro-nickel slag feedstock
Latrobe Magnesium Limited (ASX:LMG) has executed a binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Société Le Nickel for the supply of 450,000 tonnes per annum of ferro-nickel slag over 20 years as feedstock for LMG's 100,000-tonne-per-annum magnesium plant.
Société Le Nickel produces some 40,000 tonnes per annum of ferro-nickel and is one of the largest ferro-nickel producers in the world. It is 100%-owned by Eramet SA, a listed French company with some Euro 2.4 billion market capitalisation.
Employing the principles of the circular economy, LMG will take the waste slag product off SLN's hands and turn it into sustainably sourced magnesium.
LMG will need in the order of 600,000 tonnes of ferro-nickel slag per annum to produce 100,000 tonnes per year of magnesium.
With its present port facilities, the French company can handle the loading of 450,000 tonnes per annum and is considering expanding its facilities notwithstanding the agreement.
As and when the proposed expansion is undertaken, SLN has advised LMG that it will be able to cater for the additional 150,000 tonnes per annum of ferro-nickel slag.
In the event SLN does not expand its port facilities, LMG will source additional supply from another ferro-nickel producer.

Source：https://www.proactiveinvestors.com.au/companies/news/992334/latrobe-magnesium-signs-binding-mou-with-societe-le-nickel-for-supply-of-ferro-nickel-slag-feedstock-992334.html

4. Latrobe Magnesium investing $39 million for Stage 1 of 'green' magnesium production plant in regional Victoria
The Stage 1 facility, which is being supported by the Victorian Government’s Regional Jobs Fund, will be built by June next year to treat brown coal fly ash from the Yallourn Power Station, currently a waste resource from power generation.
Latrobe Magnesium Ltd (LMG) is investing $39 million to establish Stage 1 of a magnesium production facility at its Tramway Road facility in Morwell in Victoria's Latrobe Valley which will create 43 new Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) jobs.
The demonstration plant project, which is being supported by the Victorian Government’s Regional Jobs Fund, is expected to be built by June next year.
This initial 1,000 tonnes per annum first-stage facility will treat brown coal fly ash from the Yallourn Power Station, currently a waste resource from power generation.
Source：https://www.proactiveinvestors.com.au/companies/news/993059/latrobe-magnesium-investing-39-million-for-stage-1-of-green-magnesium-production-plant-in-regional-victoria-993059.html?viewSource=TwitterAU

5. 2023 Sherco ST Trials Lineup First Look
It’s a big year for Sherco observed trials motorcycles. The 2023 Sherco trials bike lineup is all-new, with the ST 300, ST 250, and ST 125 two-stroke competition models. Everything is new, so pull up a seat and get ready for lots of information.
The engine oil capacity has been cut to just over 15 ounces. The clutch cover is magnesium, while the filler hole is angled out to make adding oil easier. A sight glass makes it simple to check the oil level.

Source：https://ultimatemotorcycling.com/2022/10/01/2023-sherco-st-trials-lineup-first-look-21-fast-facts/

6. 9 Things We Now Know About The Lotus Evija
9/9 The Lotus Evija Is Lotus' First Hypercar: Lotus, like TVR, another British sports carmaker, did not build its reputation on hypercars, instead, it began focusing on light weight to produce some amazing driver’s cars like the Lotus Elise.
8/9 Lotus' Evija Will Have A Thunderous Powertrain Like No Other: There’s a full-electric 70 kWh powertrain that will power the Evija – no internal combustion engine and no hybrid hardware, just four motors and the battery pack. This will enable the Evija to offer up to 1972 hp from a standstill and four-wheel-drive thanks to the quad-motor setup.
7/9 Performance Stats Deserving Of An All-Electric Hypercar: The electric powertrain consisting of batteries and motors might sound uninspiring and will certainly not offer any of the vibration, smells, sounds and engagement of an ICE engine, but the stats of the Lotus Evija are compelling.
6/9 A Lightweight, Awesome Piece Of Engineering: The Lotus Evija will weigh approximately 3700 lbs which is astonishing given its power and performance potential – lightness being one of the company’s historical overriding values.
5/9 The Evija Looks Awesome Inside And Out: Lotus carefully designs the air scoops, diffusers, active aero, and every piece to be functional including the iconic rear air ducts to make it slippery and provide downforce where needed. The company says it has a ride height of just 4 inches, the front splitter is a bi-plane design, and the airflow is optimized overall to both reduce drag and funnel cooling air into the powertrain.
4/9 A Fast-Charging System Will Come As Standard: Being an electric car, the charging specs are important just like they are for a Kia EV6; so, Lotus will ensure the Evija has up to 800kW charging capability – faster than the current 350kW standard – and in 12 minutes the Lotus will reach 80% battery capacity.
3/9 It Isn't A Stripped-Out Racing Car: Amenities And Comfort Features: Lotus’ Evija also wants to offer clients a grand tourer experience as much as race car thrills – as such there are two seats accessible through the butterfly doors into an exquisite cabin.
2/9 The Lotus Evija Will Be Extremely Expensive: Considering its provenance, engineering, performance and more, you wouldn’t expect this to be a cheap hypercar – or even relatively-cheap.
1/9 The Release Date Of The Lotus Evija Is Sooner Than You Think: It seems like the Lotus Evija has been teasing us for a long while now, and while it's already added to the 2022 roster it is available from 2023 according to Lotus’ website, although we’re sure they’ll be snapped up rather quickly by hedge fund investors and successful YouTubers.
source：https://www.hotcars.com/things-we-now-know-about-the-lotus-evija/

7. New Fiido X E-Bike Brings Practicality And Affordability To The Table
The Fiido X has been improved for the 2022 model year to be better and more streamlined than before. The bike, according to Fiido, is fundamentally the same machine but has been improved to provide even more performance. To begin with, it has the same single-piece folding magnesium alloy frame that not only makes the bike quite lightweight but also strong and comfortable to ride. A new Shimano 7-speed shifter, an enhanced meter, an upgraded handlebar, and a new, more comfortable saddle are all part of the improvements.
Source: https://insideevs.com/news/614072/fiido-x-electric-folding-commute-bike/