Product group: Magnesium Magnesium is one of the most common metals on earth. This element comprises nearly 2% of the earth's upper, 16 km thick crust. Magnesium's immense significance is demonstrated by its diverse biochemical functions. It plays an important role in many biological processes in plant metabolism as well as the human organism. In nature magnesium can only be found in compounds, usually in silicates. Producing magnesium is therefore extremely complicated and requires special care. The most significant process used is electrolysis, in which a mixture of anhydrous and alkali and alkaline earth chlorides are used to reduce the melting point. Chlorine is produced at a temperature of 700° – 800° C on the graphite anodes, magnesium is formed on the iron cathode, it accumulates on the surface of the melt and is syphoned off.