Magnifin Magnesiaprodukte has approved a detailed engineering study for a second production plant for its Magnifin range of premium magnesium hydroxides.

The company said the new plant, which would manufacture the same products as its existing facility at Breitenau, near Graz in Austria, would meet rising global demand for high-purity, non-halogenated magnesium hydroxide fire retardants.

These fire retardants are used in a wide range of polymer applications, especially thermoplastics and elastomers that require high processing temperatures. Typical end-uses are found in energy & LAN data cables, automotive wires and cables and construction foils.

Founded in 1990, Magnifin is a 50:50 joint venture between German chemicals company Martinswerk, part of the Fire Retardant Additives business of the Huber Engineered Materials division of J.M. Huber in the US, and Veitscher Vertriebsgesellschaft, part of Austrian’s RHI Magnesita.