The magnesium hydroxide market is forecast to grow steadily from USD 1.10 billion in 2025 to USD 1.65 billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of 8.5%. Growth is driven by the increasing demand for magnesium hydroxide in sectors like water treatment, pharmaceuticals, food processing, and flame retardants. The market is segmented into industrial grade, pharmaceutical grade, and food grade magnesium hydroxide. The industrial grade segment will continue to dominate, driven by its application in wastewater treatment, desulfurization, and flame retardancy. Pharmaceutical-grade magnesium hydroxide, commonly used as an antacid and laxative, is expected to grow significantly due to the increasing demand for over-the-counter medications. The food grade segment will also see steady growth as the demand for additives in food products rises. Increasing regulatory focus on environmentally friendly and safe chemicals will further promote market expansion.

The global magnesium hydroxide market is forecast to expand from USD 1.10 billion in 2025 to USD 1.65 billion by 2030. Industrial-grade magnesium hydroxide will dominate the market, contributing to 50% of the total market share by 2030, primarily driven by demand from flame retardant and water treatment applications. Pharmaceutical-grade magnesium hydroxide will grow at 10% CAGR, driven by increased antacid and laxative demand in the personal healthcare segment. The food-grade segment will account for 10% of the market share as demand for food-grade additives rises. The Asia-Pacific region will lead in terms of growth, with China and India witnessing strong demand across industrial applications and healthcare.
The magnesium hydroxide market is largely driven by demand in industrial applications, where the chemical is used as a flame retardant and water treatment agent. The growth of electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy systems has increased demand for fire-resistant materials like magnesium hydroxide. The pharmaceutical-grade segment is benefiting from the increasing use of laxatives and antacids, particularly in North America and Europe, where consumer health trends are shifting towards natural and effective treatments. The food-grade segment remains a niche market but is gaining traction due to increasing interest in safe, bio-based food additives. The demand for bio-based magnesium hydroxide is also growing, driven by rising consumer preference for sustainable chemicals in various industries.

The market is segmented by grade: industrial-grade (60%), pharmaceutical-grade (25%), and food-grade (15%). The industrial-grade segment dominates due to the use of magnesium hydroxide in water treatment, flame retardants, and environmentally safe materials. Pharmaceutical-grade magnesium hydroxide is seeing growth due to increasing demand for natural antacids and laxatives. The food-grade segment remains smaller but is growing steadily as organic food additives are increasingly used for food preservation and safe consumption. Sodium hydroxide-based alternatives will remain a competitor in the water treatment segment, but magnesium hydroxide’s performance benefits are increasingly preferred.

The North America and Europe regions will lead in market share, accounting for 60% of the global demand for magnesium hydroxide, driven by stringent environmental standards and a growing pharmaceutical industry. Asia-Pacific, particularly China and India, is expected to experience the highest growth in the market, driven by industrialization, urbanization, and increasing demand for magnesium hydroxide in wastewater treatment and healthcare products. Latin America and Africa are emerging markets for pharmaceutical and industrial applications, though their share will remain limited in comparison to more developed regions.
The key players in the magnesium hydroxide market include Albemarle Corporation, Nutrien Ltd., Magnesium Elektron, Ineos Group, and Omya. Albemarle Corporation leads in industrial-grade magnesium hydroxide, particularly for flame retardants and water treatment applications. Nutrien Ltd. and Magnesium Elektron are key suppliers of pharmaceutical-grade products, particularly for antacids and laxatives. Omya is expanding its food-grade magnesium hydroxide supply to meet growing demand in food preservation. Local producers in Asia-Pacific are gaining market share due to cost advantages and the growing demand for bio-based alternatives.