Speaking after IMOA’s 32^nd AGM, which was held virtually for the first time, Tim Outteridge, IMOA’s Secretary General, commented:

“2020 will be remembered as the year when the coronavirus swept the globe. Like other industries the molybdenum industry has had to respond and adapt to the health, social and economic challenges of a world impacted by COVID-19. Against this backdrop I am pleased to report that IMOA has continued to advance its market development, HSE and other programmes with many notable successes.”

Over the last year, IMOA’s peer-reviewed, robust datasets have been used to inform regulatory decisions across the globe. For instance, the IMOA datasets informed many key parameters and outcomes in the Toxicological Profile for Molybdenum, published in May by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). A comprehensive data package was also submitted to the US Environmental Protection Agency for the assessment of Mo/compounds under the US Toxic Substances Control Act. Tim commented: “These developments continue to underline the importance of robust science in determining regulatory decisions and are reason for our continued commitment to providing robust scientific data about molybdenum.”

Sustainable development is more vital than ever and, as a result, Life Cycle Assessments (LCA’s) are increasingly important. To that end, IMOA has worked to ensure molybdenum’s robust LCA data is widely disseminated and that the environmental effects datasets are used in relevant modelling software. Another notable achievement in the HSE arena has been the Molybdenum Consortium’s updates to REACH exposure scenarios, extended safety data sheets and technical dossiers for various molybdenum substances. This ensures continued compliance with REACH requirements.

IMOA’s market development programmes that demonstrate the value of molybdenum in our modern world remain as important as ever.

“Education is a cornerstone of IMOA’s market development work. This year alone, despite the pandemic, we have succeeded, together with the Nickel Institute, in delivering an extensive programme of educational workshops and webinars to around 2,500 engineers, architects and specifiers. Outcomes of IMOA research projects have also triggered the development of new advanced flat steels as well as production trials of high-strength ‘super-HSLA’ steels and modified cast iron. In time, these developments will result in lighter, safer and cleaner vehicles,” said Outteridge.

Work has continued at pace with partner organizations to publish the first American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) stainless steel design specification, which will remove significant barriers to the wider use of load-bearing stainless steel in buildings, bridges and other structures. Its publication in 2021 is eagerly awaited. Later this year IMOA looks forward to the publication of the new, co-sponsored, Steel Construction Institute (SCI) guide on the design and execution of high-strength steels (HSS) up to 700 MPa yield strength. Both will act as definitive guides to architects and specifiers and enable increased use of stainless steels and HSS.

Over the coming year IMOA will continue to find new and innovative ways of delivering its programmes in a COVID-secure way. Our extensive program of webinars will continue in China and South East Asia, enabling IMOA education programmes to remain relevant in the current climate. As the pandemic situation improves, IMOA will move to a blend of virtual and in-person seminars to ensure the widest, most effective dissemination of information.

The Association hope it will be able to welcome members, in person, to its AGM in Geneva next September, should the pandemic situation allow.

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