• In order to improve your experience on our website, we use functionally necessary session cookies, but no advertising or social media cookies.
  • We use the Google Analytics service to analyse website use and visitor numbers as part of a continual improvement process. Google Analytics generates statistical and other information about our website’s use. The privacy policy of Google Analytics can be found here: Google Analytics.
  • You can withdraw your consent at any time on our Privacy Notice page.
SHARE

Latest news

Back | Latest news overview


A year of progress for IMOA

27/09/2019

The International Molybdenum Association (IMOA) has published its Annual Review for 2018/19, detailing the achievements of the Association on behalf of its members over the last year.

Speaking at IMOA's AGM in Vail, Colorado, USA, Tim Outteridge, IMOA's Secretary-General, said: "Our main focus continues to be on developing and maintaining access to markets for our members. We do that through programs to promote the use of molybdenum in new and existing applications, as well as ensuring its regulation is proportionate and based on sound science."

"In the HSE (Health, Safety and Environment) arena, on-going regulatory engagement using peer-reviewed, quality-endorsed datasets resulted in the de-regulation of molybdenum from Chemicals of High Concern to Children legislation in the States of Washington, Minnesota and Oregon. This demonstrates the importance and role of robust science in determining regulatory decisions.

"Our OECD-endorsed molybdate effects datasets were also leveraged in several jurisdictions to address water quality standards, resulting in an >400-fold upward revision of the limit value for the protection of aquatic life in Saskatchewan Province, Canada from just 73 µg Mo/L to 31,000 µg Mo/L.. At federal level the Canadian Chemical Management Plan ecological risk assessment also now indicates a similar level. After assessment of our molybdate effects datasets molybdenum metal powder (< 1mm) was also approved as not hazardous to water by the German regulatory authority UBA.

"Other notable developments in HSE include the publication of the updated Lifecycle Inventory datasets for molybdenum products for metallurgical applications, and their inclusion in LCI practitioner software. Another milestone achievement is the 2019 publication in a peer-reviewed scientific journal of the 2-Generation Reproductive Toxicity Study, which was the culmination of a 5-year project by IMOA's HSE Committee.

"In Market Development, our programs to promote molybdenum in new and existing applications continue to demonstrate value to our members. For example, in the North American ABC (Architecture, Building and Construction) market, we estimate the market share of molybdenum-containing stainless steel has increased from 2% of all stainless steel in ABC in 2000 to 24% in 2018. We attribute such growth in part to a well-established education program amongst engineers, architects and specifiers, run together with the Nickel Institute. Last year alone we facilitated the attendance of 550 professionals from 190 companies at stainless steel, ABC live events including workshops and presentations. Support for structural stainless steel gathered momentum as we work towards the development of an international standard based on the AISC Design Guide published in 2013.

To promote the benefits of molybdenum alloying in carbon steel, over 30 seminars and events were delivered for steelmakers. "Successful projects with leading steel producers and research institutes also led to increased molybdenum use. Further projects are underway, including the European STROBE project to optimize design with stronger steels in construction.

"Global water loss is a serious issue with many utilities losing 30% or more of their freshly treated drinking water in service water piping between the water main and the meters of the consumers. A corrugated Type 316 stainless steel service pipe product has already proven to help several major South East Asian cities enormously. And we're pleased to report that during the year we saw the first installation in Australia with more planned as a result of our joint service pipe project with the Nickel Institute, to promote the long-lasting solution."

The IMOA Annual Review can be found at https://www.imoa.info/download_files/annualreview/IMOA_AnnualReview_2018_2019.pdf


General information for media

IMOA is a non profit trade association, representing the majority of the molybdenum industry worldwide. It works to raise awareness about the unique properties of molybdenum, its beneficial effects on materials performance, its safety in use and its contribution to sustainable development.

Molybdenum is added to alloy steels to improve strength, toughness, hardenability and weldability for numerous applications in the automotive, shipbuilding, construction, mining, chemical, oil & gas and energy generation industries. In stainless steels and superalloys, it improves corrosion resistance and high-temperature performance and finds uses in many industrial applications. It is also used in a variety of products from catalysts and lubricants to pigments and paint.

IMOA has a strict antitrust compliance policy which delegates of all meetings are required to observe. All such meetings are observed by legal counsel.

For more information please email the communications team at media@imoa.info.
For up-to-date information please follow IMOA on Twitter and LinkedIn.


Back | Latest news overview