How is China's magnesium chloride supply chain structured by production region and capacity?

How is China's magnesium chloride supply chain structured by production region and capacity?
China's magnesium chloride resources derive from two main sources: sea salt bittern from coastal solar salt fields, yielding roughly 3 million tonnes annually, and potassium chloride mother liquor from Qinghai salt lakes, representing a much larger 70 million tonne resource base. The industry shows clear tiering. Tier 1 national players, such as Shandong Haihua and Qinghai Salt Lake Industry, exceed 100,000 tonnes annual capacity, serving large infrastructure and export contracts with stable supply. Tier 2 regional leaders, typically in Shandong's Weifang sea salt belt, operate at 50,000-100,000 tonnes, offering competitive pricing and flexible service for mid-sized buyers. Tier 3 local producers serve nearby markets. This geographic concentration means logistics costs and regional supply-demand balances significantly influence pricing, especially during winter deicing season when demand spikes.