Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormPowder (or aqueous suspension/slurry)
Industry PositionInorganic mineral ingredient (dietary supplement/food additive/industrial applications)
Market
Magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2) is a globally traded inorganic magnesium compound used across dietary supplements and consumer health (e.g., antacid/laxative products), as well as industrial applications such as flame retardancy and smoke suppression. In international trade statistics it is commonly captured under HS 281610 ("hydroxide and peroxide of magnesium"), meaning reported flows may include both magnesium hydroxide and magnesium peroxide. Based on 2024 UN Comtrade-derived WITS rankings for HS 281610, major export activity is concentrated in a handful of economies (notably the Netherlands and Austria, alongside Japan, Israel, the United States, and China), while key import markets include Germany, China, Italy, and the United States. Regulatory positioning spans food additive use (Codex INS 528) and non-food uses, so documentation and grade/purity expectations are a central feature of global trade for supplement- and food-grade material.
Major Producing Countries- 네덜란드Among top exporters in 2024 for HS 281610 in WITS (proxy for large-scale supply/processing capacity).
- 오스트리아Among top exporters in 2024 for HS 281610 in WITS (proxy for large-scale supply/processing capacity).
- 일본Among top exporters in 2024 for HS 281610 in WITS.
- 이스라엘Among top exporters in 2024 for HS 281610 in WITS.
- 중국Among top exporters in 2024 for HS 281610 in WITS; also a major importer in 2024, consistent with diverse grades and intra-industry trade.
- 미국Among top exporters in 2024 for HS 281610 in WITS; USGS notes magnesium hydroxide production from seawater/brines in the United States.
Major Exporting Countries- 네덜란드Top exporter in 2024 for HS 281610 in WITS (UN Comtrade-derived).
- 오스트리아Top exporter in 2024 for HS 281610 in WITS (UN Comtrade-derived).
- 일본Top exporter in 2024 for HS 281610 in WITS (UN Comtrade-derived).
- 이스라엘Top exporter in 2024 for HS 281610 in WITS (UN Comtrade-derived).
- 미국Top exporter in 2024 for HS 281610 in WITS (UN Comtrade-derived).
- 중국Top exporter in 2024 for HS 281610 in WITS (UN Comtrade-derived).
Major Importing Countries- 독일Top importer in 2024 for HS 281610 in WITS (UN Comtrade-derived).
- 중국Top importer in 2024 for HS 281610 in WITS (UN Comtrade-derived), reflecting intra-industry trade and multiple grades.
- 이탈리아Top importer in 2024 for HS 281610 in WITS (UN Comtrade-derived).
- 미국Top importer in 2024 for HS 281610 in WITS (UN Comtrade-derived).
- 포르투갈Among leading importers in 2024 for HS 281610 in WITS (UN Comtrade-derived).
- 대한민국Among leading importers in 2024 for HS 281610 in WITS (UN Comtrade-derived).
Specification
Physical Attributes- White inorganic solid/powder; naturally occurs as the mineral brucite (Mg(OH)2).
- Very low water solubility; commonly handled as a powder or as an aqueous suspension ("milk of magnesia").
Compositional Metrics- Buyer specifications commonly define assay/purity as Mg(OH)2 (or Mg content), plus limits for heavy metals and other impurities (particularly for food/supplement grades).
- Physical specifications commonly include particle size distribution/surface area and moisture-related parameters (e.g., loss on drying/loss on ignition), tailored to the end use (supplement vs. industrial filler).
Grades- Food additive grade aligned to Codex/GSFA and JECFA identity/purity specifications (INS 528).
- Pharmaceutical/consumer-health grade used in antacid/laxative products (grade expectations commonly align to pharmacopeial and/or national requirements).
- Technical/industrial grades used for flame retardancy/smoke suppression and other industrial applications.
ProcessingActs as a weak base/buffering agent; neutralizes acids to form magnesium salts and water (a key functional mechanism in antacid and acidity-regulation uses).Performance in formulations is sensitive to particle size/surface area and dispersion behavior (powder vs. slurry).
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Mineral/brine sourcing (seawater, natural brines, or Mg-bearing minerals) -> chemical conversion (commonly precipitation from brines/seawater or processing of mineral sources such as brucite) -> solid-liquid separation and washing -> drying/milling or slurry standardization -> quality testing (identity/purity/impurities) -> packaging and distribution by grade (food/supplement/industrial).
Demand Drivers- Codex-recognized food additive functionality (INS 528) as an acidity regulator and colour retention agent in specified food categories under GMP.
- Consumer health and supplement demand linked to magnesium hydroxide’s antacid/laxative use (notably in "milk of magnesia"-type preparations).
- Industrial demand for smoke suppression/flame retardant applications where magnesium hydroxide acts as an inorganic additive.
Risks
Supply Concentration HighFor HS 281610 (hydroxide and peroxide of magnesium), 2024 trade rankings show export activity concentrated in a small set of economies (notably the Netherlands and Austria, alongside Japan, Israel, the United States, and China). Disruptions affecting these hubs (plant outages, energy cost spikes, logistics constraints, or policy changes) can tighten global availability quickly, especially for higher-purity grades used in supplements and regulated food applications.Qualify multiple suppliers across regions and pre-approve alternative grades/specs where feasible; maintain dual sourcing and safety stock for regulated applications.
Regulatory Compliance MediumMagnesium hydroxide spans regulatory regimes (food additive INS 528 under Codex/GSFA; consumer health uses; industrial uses). Cross-border shipments can face delays or rejections if identity/purity documentation, contaminant testing, and grade declarations do not align with the destination’s requirements.Use clear grade labeling (food/supplement/technical), provide up-to-date CoA with contaminant panels, and map shipments to Codex/JECFA references where food use is intended.
Quality And Contaminants MediumSupplement- and food-grade magnesium hydroxide must meet strict impurity controls; variability in raw material sources and processing can affect trace metals and other contaminants, creating recall/import-refusal risk and reputational damage.Implement supplier audits and third-party testing (identity, purity, and trace metals) and use lot-level release with change-control for process or feedstock shifts.
Sustainability- Environmental footprint of upstream feedstocks: magnesium compounds originate from mining of Mg-bearing minerals (e.g., magnesite/brucite) and/or extraction/processing of seawater and natural brines; impacts vary by route and site.
- Energy intensity and emissions exposure where production relies on high-temperature steps upstream (e.g., producing MgO intermediates) and on regional power costs for processing and drying.
FAQ
Which HS code is commonly used to track international trade in magnesium hydroxide?Trade statistics commonly use HS 281610, labeled “hydroxide and peroxide of magnesium.” This code can include magnesium hydroxide and magnesium peroxide, so analysts often validate product scope with descriptions and supporting documentation.
Is magnesium hydroxide recognized in Codex as a food additive, and what is its INS number?Yes. Codex GSFA lists magnesium hydroxide as a food additive with INS number 528, with functional classes including acidity regulator and colour retention agent, and permitted uses governed by good manufacturing practice (GMP) in specified food categories.
Which countries are major exporters and importers for HS 281610 in recent trade rankings?In 2024 WITS (UN Comtrade-derived) rankings for HS 281610, major exporters include the Netherlands, Austria, Japan, Israel, the United States, and China. Major importing countries include Germany, China, Italy, and the United States.