Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormPowder
Industry PositionFood & Dietary Supplement Ingredient
Market
Magnesium hydroxide carbonate (also known as hydrated basic magnesium carbonate; INS 504(ii)) is a globally traded inorganic magnesium ingredient used in supplements and, in some jurisdictions, as a food additive functional component (e.g., acidity regulation, anticaking, carrier). Upstream supply is linked to magnesium-bearing mineral and brine resources (notably magnesite and seawater/brines), and industrial processing is generally continuous (non-seasonal). Feedstock availability and pricing can be influenced by mining output, energy costs, and environmental permitting in major mineral-producing regions. For buyers, the market is strongly quality- and compliance-driven, with pharmacopeial/food-additive specifications and elemental-impurity control often determining acceptable supply.
Major Producing Countries- 중국Leading magnesite producer; key upstream source region for magnesium carbonate-based materials (USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026 — Magnesium Compounds).
- 러시아Major magnesite producer; upstream feedstock for magnesium compound value chains (USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026 — Magnesium Compounds).
- 터키Major magnesite producer; upstream feedstock for magnesium compound processing (USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026 — Magnesium Compounds).
- 브라질Significant magnesite producer; upstream feedstock for magnesium compound processing (USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026 — Magnesium Compounds).
- 슬로바키아Notable magnesite producer; upstream feedstock for magnesium compound processing (USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026 — Magnesium Compounds).
- 오스트리아Notable magnesite producer; upstream feedstock for magnesium compound processing (USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026 — Magnesium Compounds).
Specification
Physical Attributes- White, odorless powder typical of basic magnesium carbonate/hydroxycarbonate materials used in food/pharma supply chains
- Low water solubility; dispersibility and dusting behavior influence handling and blending performance
Compositional Metrics- Assay commonly specified as magnesium content or magnesium oxide (MgO) equivalent, depending on standard (e.g., USP monographs for magnesium carbonate/hydroxide; FAO/WHO JECFA specifications for INS 504(ii))
- Elemental-impurity controls (e.g., lead/arsenic and other metals) and acid-insoluble matter limits are commonly specified in buyer requirements and standards
Grades- Food additive grade aligned to Codex/FAO/WHO specifications for INS 504(ii) (Magnesium hydroxide carbonate / hydrated basic magnesium carbonate)
- Pharmacopeial-grade expectations are commonly referenced in supplement and OTC antacid supply chains (e.g., USP–NF monographs for related magnesium carbonate/hydroxide materials)
Packaging- Moisture-protective, sealed liners in fiber drums or multiwall bags for food/pharma distribution
- Industrial bulk formats (e.g., large bags) used when supplying non-food industrial applications, subject to buyer specification
ProcessingParticle size distribution and flow properties affect tablet compression, capsule filling, and premix blendingMoisture control (caking risk) is a common handling consideration for powdered mineral ingredients
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Magnesite/dolomite/brucite mining or seawater/brine sourcing → chemical conversion/precipitation → filtration/washing → drying → milling/sieving → quality testing to food/pharma specifications → packaging → distribution to supplement/food manufacturers
Demand Drivers- Use as a magnesium source ingredient in dietary supplements and mineral premixes
- Use in some markets as a functional food additive (INS 504(ii)) such as acidity regulation, anticaking, and carrier applications
Temperature- Typically handled and shipped under ambient conditions; protect from moisture to reduce caking and preserve flowability
- Avoid cross-contamination during storage and transport to meet food/pharma quality expectations
Shelf Life- Generally long shelf stability in sealed, dry storage; practical shelf life is often driven by moisture pickup, packaging integrity, and specification compliance rather than rapid spoilage
Risks
Quality And Contamination HighBecause magnesium hydroxide carbonate is a mineral-derived powdered ingredient used in supplements and food-related applications, out-of-spec elemental impurities (e.g., heavy metals) or contamination events can trigger rapid trade disruption via rejected lots, recalls, or import holds, even when physical supply is available.Qualify suppliers against recognized standards (e.g., FAO/WHO JECFA/Codex specifications for INS 504(ii) and/or pharmacopeial expectations where applicable), require robust COAs with independent elemental-impurity testing, and maintain lot-level traceability and change-control.
Supply Concentration MediumUpstream reliance on magnesite and related magnesium mineral resources can expose supply to production, policy, and cost shocks in major producing regions; China is identified as the leading magnesite producer in USGS mineral summaries, which can heighten concentration sensitivity for some supply chains.Diversify qualified suppliers and consider alternate approved magnesium sources/forms where formulation allows; monitor upstream mineral and energy market signals.
Regulatory Compliance MediumPermitted uses, identity definitions, and specification expectations differ across jurisdictions for supplement ingredients versus food additives (e.g., INS 504(ii) context), increasing the risk of misclassification, labeling noncompliance, or use outside authorized conditions.Map the ingredient’s intended use to destination-market regulatory status (supplement vs food additive) and align purchasing specs and labeling to the applicable standard and use-case.
Logistics LowPowdered mineral ingredients are sensitive to moisture pickup and packaging damage, which can cause caking, poor flowability, and out-of-spec physical performance on receipt.Use moisture-barrier packaging, humidity-controlled storage where needed, and incoming inspection for packaging integrity and physical parameters.
Sustainability- Mining and land-disturbance impacts where magnesite/dolomite are upstream feedstocks for magnesium carbonate-based materials
- Energy use and process emissions associated with mineral processing (e.g., calcination steps in broader magnesium compounds value chains)
- Wastewater and solids management from precipitation/washing steps in purified mineral-ingredient manufacturing
Labor & Social- Mine and plant worker safety (dust control, handling of caustic/alkaline slurries in processing)
- Supplier social compliance and traceability expectations in mineral-derived ingredient supply chains
FAQ
Is magnesium hydroxide carbonate recognized as a food additive in Codex references?Yes. Codex GSFA Online lists “Magnesium hydroxide carbonate” as INS 504(ii), with functional classes such as acidity regulator, anticaking agent, carrier, and colour retention agent.
What are common upstream sources and production routes for this ingredient?Magnesium compounds can be produced from magnesium-bearing minerals (e.g., magnesite/dolomite/brucite) and also recovered from seawater and brines; manufacturers typically convert and purify the material through precipitation/chemical conversion, then wash, dry, and mill to meet food/pharma specifications (as reflected in USGS magnesium compounds summaries and FAO/WHO additive specification contexts).
What is the most critical quality risk for global trade in this supplement ingredient?The most critical risk is out-of-spec impurities or contamination (including elemental impurities) in mineral-derived supply, which can lead to rejected lots, recalls, or import holds; buyers typically mitigate this by purchasing to recognized specifications (e.g., Codex/JECFA INS 504(ii) references and, where relevant, pharmacopeial expectations) with strong testing and traceability.