Update of the IMA Report “Life Cycle Assessment of Magnesium Components in Vehicle Construction”

Life cycle assessment data plays an important part in the holistic decision-making process when evaluating the environmental impacts of martial selection.

In 2013, the International Magnesium Association (IMA) published the study “Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Magnesium Components in Vehicle Construction” which was been written by the Institute of Vehicle Concepts of the German Aerospace Centre (DLR). The study analysed the entire life cycle of magnesium components for transport applications. This includes the production of primary magnesium, alloying, component production, use phase and the end-of-life of magnesium components. Focus of the study was the use of magnesium in passenger vehicles. Additionally, the life cycle of magnesium for the use as aircraft component was evaluated. Since the magnesium production and especially the Pidgeon process in China are subject of continuous improvements, an update of the LCA study reflecting the current production situation was necessary.

IMA commissioned German Aerospace Center Institute of Vehicle Concepts (DLR) to update the 2013 Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).

Currently, most of the world's primary magnesium metal is produced in China using the Pidgeon process. The 2020 update indicates that greenhouse gas emissions from magnesium production using the Pidgeon process have been reduced since 2011. The report also highlights alternative primary production methods with much lower greenhouse gas emissions and notes that there are promising developments for expanding lower emission production capacity.

Further, the report demonstrates that lightweight magnesium components in transport applications, such as aircraft and automobiles, result in lower greenhouse gas emissions over the entire life cycle when compared to similar aluminum parts.

The 2020 update report provides reliable industry data that will be included in common LCA databases, such as GaBi and ecoinvent.

This up-dated study includes the full DEKRA report (page 37-41).

Following is the recording of the 09 February 2021 presentation on the update to the magnesium Life Cycle Assessment.