MAGNIFIN Magnesiaprodukte GmbH & Co KG (MAGNIFIN), a 50-50 joint venture, is one step closer to finalizing the location of a second facility to expand its production of magnesium hydroxides

A press release said that the MAGNIFIN board has approved the preparatory work for what will be the JV’s second such plant. MAGNIFIN is a joint venture between Martinswerk GmbH, part of the Fire Retardant Additives (FRA) business of the Huber Engineered Materials (HEM) division of J.M. Huber Corporation (Huber) and Veitscher Vertriebsgesellschaft mbH, part of the group of companies of RHI Magnesita N.V. (RHIM).

“This planned significant investment is driven to meet growing global demand and support the growth of its customers for high-purity, halogen-free magnesium hydroxide fire retardants,” the release said. The new plant would manufacture the same product portfolio being made at Breitenau, Austria. This expansion project would further enhance the company’s ability to deliver premium magnesium hydroxides (MAGNIFIN®) and would provide additional supply chain flexibility for its customers.

MAGNIFIN coated and uncoated magnesium hydroxides are environment friendly, non-halogenated flame retardants used in a wide range of polymer applications, especially thermoplastic materials and elastomers requiring high processing temperatures in excess of 200°C.
A spokesman said that the location is expected to be in Europe, likely the eastern part of Europe, and will serve the European and Eastern Asian markets. The new plant will take approximately three years to build. Modular steps will be taken in regards to capacity, but it’s ultimately expected to double current capacity.