🇮🇸 AFRY supports Njordur’s magnesium project in Iceland

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Europe depends on imported magnesium. More than 90% of the global supply comes from China, creating both environmental and strategic challenges. In Iceland, a new initiative is taking shape – and AFRY is part of it.

A sustainable new approach to magnesium production

Njordur, an Iceland-based company founded in 2023, is developing Europe’s first sustainable primary magnesium production facility in decades. The project introduces an innovative extraction process that significantly reduces the environmental impacts associated with conventional methods, such as mining and coal-fired processing. Powered by Iceland’s renewable geothermal energy, this approach achieves near-zero emissions—just 0.0004 tCO₂ per tonne of magnesium—offering a stark contrast to the 10-40 tCO₂ per tonne emitted by traditional methods like Pidgeon and Dow-Hydro.

Graphic provided by Njordur

AFRY has been engaged from the start to support every stage of this ambitious venture, providing engineering expertise to help turn Njordur’s vision into reality.

We’re excited to be driving innovation and sustainability in the magnesium industry, leveraging our expertise to deliver impactful solutions. Collaborating with Njordur on this pioneering project is a testament to what can be achieved through forward-thinking partnerships

says Mohammad Golmaei, Project Manager at AFRY.

AFRY’s role and the road ahead

The partnership between AFRY and Njordur is focused on designing a facility capable of producing 50,000 metric tonnes of magnesium per year. AFRY has already delivered the conceptual and pre-feasibility studies (FEL0 and FEL1), addressing critical challenges and paving the way for the ongoing feasibility study (FEL2). The work includes:

  • Developing technical designs for the seawater-based production process.
  • Creating detailed 3D models for the facility layout.
  • Calculating capital and operational costs to ensure economic feasibility.
  • Designing a closed-loop framework that eliminates toxic waste streams, ensuring all materials are fully contained and recycled.

Strategic importance for Europe

Currently, Europe relies on imported magnesium, with more than 90% of the global supply concentrated in China. Traditional methods of production are not only environmentally damaging but also leave the region vulnerable to supply chain uncertainties. Njordur’s facility, with its planned annual output of 50,000 metric tonnes, will represent approximately 5% of global primary magnesium production1 . This significant contribution not only strengthens Europe’s resource independence but also sets a new benchmark for sustainable magnesium production.

This project demonstrates how innovative engineering can transform industries while reducing environmental impact.

Aerial view of Vestrahorn mountains near the sea in Iceland
Sauli Pisilä
Director of Battery Sector

Originally published on 2 October by AFRY.

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