Magnesium chloride is an inorganic substance, and its salts typically present themselves as colourless or white solids with a high solubility in water.

Due to its notable hygroscopic properties and minimal environmental impact, magnesium chloride is a preferred choice in several countries for winter road treatment. It can serve as an alternative to technical calcium chloride for controlling road dust. When applied to roads, magnesium chloride acts as an effective agent to prevent snow adhesion and icy or slippery conditions. One significant advantage it has over other materials like sand is that it doesn't lead to windscreen cracks or chip off vehicle paint. Furthermore, it's recognized for its eco-friendly nature, reducing the environmental footprint of road treatments.

In various industries, magnesium chloride has been adopted as an impregnating substance. One of its notable applications is as a fire retardant, especially for impregnating wood to enhance its resistance to flames. Additionally, its properties have deemed it useful as a component in fertilizers, an agent for extinguishing fires, and a medium in water treatment processes. The paper industry values magnesium chloride for its water-absorbing capabilities. Moreover, this compound plays a pivotal role in the synthesis of several magnesium-based compounds, such as magnesium carbonate, magnesium sulphate, magnesium oxide, and magnesium hydroxide. Beyond these primary applications, magnesium chloride finds utility in a plethora of other industries and processes.