There are many classes of compounds which are useful as flame retardants. Inorganic minerals, organo-phosphates, and halogenated compounds are all commonly used for their ability to inhibit combustion and smoke generation in plastics and other materials. In 1993, United States industries consumed 810 million pounds of flame retardant additives, and demand is projected to be over one billion pounds in 19981. While currently a small part of this large market, Magnesium Hydroxide is attracting attention because of its performance, price, low corrosiveness, and low toxicity. The current market for magnesium hydroxide in flame retardants is about ten million pounds per year, with the potential to surpass thirty million pounds per year in the near future.