The world's largest users of aluminium could be forced to halt production within weeks amid a "catastrophic" shortage of magnesium across Europe

Magnesium is a key material used in the production of aluminium alloys, which are used in everything from car parts to building materials and food packaging.

China has a near-monopoly on global magnesium manufacturing, accounting for 87 per cent of production.

But the Chinese government's efforts to reduce domestic power consumption amid rising energy prices have slowed output to a trickle since late September.

25 key plants had to shut down and five further plants slashed production by 50 per cent as a result of the power cuts.

Europe is expected to run out of magnesium stockpiles by the end of November.