Russia's Solikamsk Magnesium Works Launches Rare-Earth Magnesium Alloys Production Amid German Technology Scrutiny

Russia's Solikamsk Magnesium Works has commenced industrial production of magnesium alloys with rare earth elements, targeting aerospace and automotive sectors. The plant is responsible for all of Russia's rare earth compound production and a significant portion of its magnesium output. Concurrently, Germany's Fraunhofer Institute faces criticism for its magnesium-based hydrogen slurry technology, which has low efficiency and high costs, limiting its application to demonstration scenarios.

Published Mar 20, 2026

Solikamsk Magnesium Works, a subsidiary of Rosatom, has begun industrial production of magnesium alloys containing rare earth elements such as neodymium, cerium, and lanthanum. This facility produces all of Russia’s rare earth compounds and 75% of its magnesium, targeting aerospace, automotive, energy, and oil and gas industries.

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Meanwhile, Germany's Fraunhofer Institute's magnesium-based hydrogen slurry technology has been criticized for low energy density and high costs, with system efficiency estimated at only 10%. The production process requires significant energy, resulting in unacceptable costs and limiting its application to low-power demonstration scenarios.