The newly elected leadership team includes:

• President: Jonathan Weiler, Meridian Lightweight Technologies
• Vice President: Jan Guy, AMACOR
• Treasurer/Secretary: Nic Andrews, MAGONTEC Limited
• Executive Committee Director: Todd Olson, Twin City Die Castings Co.
• Executive Committee Director: Alan Luo, The Ohio State University
• Executive Committee Director: Dietmar Letzig, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon
• Immediate Past President: Hartmut Fischer, STIHL Magnesium Die Casting

In addition, the Board has appointed Dietmar Letzig to serve as Chair of the IMA European Committee. In this role, Letzig will partner with European Representative, Martin Tauber, to help lead the committee's efforts to engage members and advance initiatives throughout the European magnesium community.

The IMA Board of Directors extends its sincere appreciation to Hartmut Fischer, who has served as President for the past three years. During his tenure, IMA strengthened its global engagement, expanded collaboration across regions, and advanced several strategic initiatives supporting the worldwide magnesium industry.

The association also recognizes Rick McQueary, who concludes his service on the Executive Committee, for his dedicated leadership as both President and Immediate Past President. His industry expertise, commitment to the association, and years of service have made a lasting impact on IMA and the global magnesium community.

As incoming President, Jonathan Weiler brings extensive technical expertise and industry leadership to the role. He serves as Chief Engineer at Meridian Lightweight Technologies and holds a Ph.D. in Materials Engineering from the University of Western Ontario. A recognized expert in lightweight automotive materials, die casting, and magnesium alloys, Weiler has authored or co-authored more than 30 technical publications and serves on the editorial boards of several international journals. He previously served two consecutive terms on the IMA Board of Directors and currently chairs the IMA Awards Committee.

"It is an honor to serve as President of the International Magnesium Association," said Weiler. "IMA plays a unique role in connecting industry leaders, researchers, and organizations from around the world to advance the use of magnesium and support innovation across the value chain. I look forward to working with our Board, committees, staff, and members to build upon the strong foundation established by both past and present IMA leadership and continue advancing the global magnesium industry."

The newly elected Officers and Executive Committee will guide the association as it continues its mission of promoting the global magnesium industry through education, collaboration, research, advocacy, and industry engagement.

The following individuals have been elected by the IMA membership:

• Anna Buling | ELB Eloxalwerk Ludwigsburg H. Zerrer GmbH
• Fernando Franca | RIMA Industrial
• Jan Guy | Amacor
• Qian Sun | China Magnesium Association
• Brett Trigger | Latrobe Magnesium Limited
• Jonathan Weiler | Meridian Lightweight Technologies
• Kazumasa Yamazaki | Japan Magnesium Association

Fernando Franca, Jan Guy, Jonathan Weiler, and Kazumasa Yamazaki were re-elected to continue serving on the Board. Anna Buling, Qian Sun, and Brett Trigger will join the Board as newly elected members.

Anna Buling is CEO of ELB Eloxalwerk Ludwigsburg and leads the company’s strategic direction with a focus on research, development, and innovation. A physicist by training, she specializes in advanced surface technologies for lightweight metals and has been an active contributor and speaker within the IMA community.

Fernando Franca serves as Operations Director of Magnesium and Die Casting at RIMA Industrial and brings more than 45 years of experience across magnesium production, alloys, die casting, sustainability, and project management. He has been an active IMA Board and committee participant for many years.

Jan Guy is CEO and Owner of AMACOR (Advanced Magnesium Alloys Corporation). He has spent decades in the magnesium industry, including leadership roles with Magnesium Company of Canada, MSI – Magnesium Services, Xstrata Magnesium, and longstanding involvement with IMA committees and conferences.

Qian Sun is Vice President and Secretary General of the China Magnesium Association. He has spent more than 20 years supporting the development, technology advancement, and sustainability efforts of China’s magnesium industry while helping strengthen collaboration between CMA and IMA.

Brett Trigger is Procurement and Contracts Manager at Latrobe Magnesium Limited, supporting the development of new primary magnesium production capacity. He brings more than 20 years of experience across the automotive, defence, manufacturing, and resource sectors in Australia and Asia.

Jonathan Weiler is Chief Engineer at Meridian Lightweight Technologies and has served previously on the IMA Board, currently chairing the Awards Committee. He holds a PhD in Materials Engineering and has authored more than 30 publications focused on die casting and magnesium alloys.

Kazumasa Yamazaki is an advisor at Tobata Foundry specializing in magnesium die casting and additive manufacturing. He has held leadership positions with the Japan Society for Technology of Plasticity and the Japan Magnesium Association and brings deep expertise in magnesium processing and advanced manufacturing technologies.

IMA thanks all candidates and members who participated in the election process. Member engagement continues to play an important role in advancing the association and supporting the global magnesium industry.

The conference offered a timely snapshot of a market in transition. Magnesium continues to hold a critical status within global industrial supply chains, serving as an important input for aluminum alloying, titanium production, steel desulfurization, and a wide range of magnesium alloy applications across transportation, aerospace, electronics, energy, defense, and advanced manufacturing. Yet the discussion in Montréal made clear that the industry’s future will depend not only on magnesium’s well-known lightweighting advantages, but also on supply-chain resilience, lower-carbon production, recycling, improved standards, application development, and a stronger system-level value proposition.

Global Primary Magnesium Production

A key theme throughout the conference was the continued concentration of global primary magnesium production. Market presentations emphasized the industry’s reliance on a geographically concentrated supply base, particularly in China, and the implications this has for global trade, cost competitiveness, and long-term customer confidence. At the same time, speakers recognized that China remains essential to the magnesium industry, providing the scale, supply continuity, and downstream development that currently support global magnesium use across many sectors. The challenge for the industry is not to discount China’s role, but to build a more diversified and resilient supply base that complements existing production and gives end users greater confidence in magnesium’s long-term availability.

While several new primary magnesium projects outside China continue to advance, the pace remains slower than many in the industry would like. Planned projects in North America, Europe, Australia, India, and other regions have gained urgency under critical minerals strategies and supply security discussions, but commercial-scale development remains challenging.

At the same time, China’s domestic magnesium industry is not standing still. Speakers described continued expansion, industry integration, smelting upgrades, investment in downstream processing, and growing application development in electric vehicles, two-wheelers, robotics, electronics, and large castings. Domestic magnesium alloy consumption has become an increasingly important driver of market activity. One of the more important market signals discussed in Montréal was the evolving relationship between magnesium and aluminum. For many years, magnesium’s adoption in structural applications was constrained by cost, supply concerns, and competition with aluminum and steel. Recent market conditions have changed the conversation. Magnesium currently holds a price advantage over aluminum in key markets, creating a stronger economic driver for substitution in select applications. Combined with magnesium’s weight savings, castability, damping, and functional performance, this price advantage is helping renew interest in magnesium not only as a premium lightweighting material, but as a cost-competitive systems material. This does not eliminate the need for qualification, design confidence, and supply assurance, but it creates a more favorable opening for broader application development.

The Case for Automotive Magnesium

The conference also showed that the traditional argument for magnesium in automotive markets is evolving. Historically, magnesium components were justified primarily through vehicle mass reduction, particularly under fuel economy standards. Jon Weiler, newly elected president of the International Magnesium Association, reinforced this point in his presentation on magnesium’s value proposition in North America, arguing that lightweighting alone is no longer enough. In a changing regulatory landscape, with shifting electric vehicle policy and renewed attention to hybrid and internal combustion platforms, magnesium must demonstrate broader system-level value. That means reducing part count, simplifying assemblies, improving manufacturing efficiency, and delivering functional benefits such as vibration damping, electromagnetic interference shielding, and thermal performance.

This repositioning could be especially important for automotive and mobility markets. Magnesium has long been used in steering wheel frames, seat structures, cross-car beams, transmission cases, and other components. The next phase may depend on larger integrated castings, semi-solid forming, thixomolding, and multifunctional structures that can replace more complex assemblies. Presentations on high-pressure die casting, thixomolding, low-pressure casting, surface treatment, and alloy development showed that manufacturing innovation is central to expanding magnesium’s role.

Thixomolding received notable attention, particularly in comparison with conventional high-pressure die casting. Presentations emphasized the process’s enclosed handling of magnesium chips, lower processing temperatures, process control benefits, and potential energy advantages. With growing demand for lightweight electronics, robotics, electric two-wheelers, drone components, and automotive housings, semi-solid magnesium processing appears to be gaining renewed commercial momentum.

Sustainability & Strategies

Sustainability was another defining theme. The IMA Sustainability Committee presented updates on the industry’s decarbonization roadmap, primary production project pipeline, and an emerging eco-labelling initiative intended to improve transparency and comparability in magnesium life cycle assessment. The proposed eco-label concept would seek to establish credible criteria, methodology, and third-party certification for magnesium’s environmental performance. Such work is becoming increasingly important as OEMs and customers ask not only whether a material is light and strong, but whether it can be supplied with verifiable carbon data.

Recycling and circularity were also discussed in depth. Magnesium’s end-of-life recycling streams remain less mature than aluminum’s, particularly for post-consumer automotive scrap. Presentations highlighted both the opportunity and the difficulty of recovering magnesium from complex components where inserts, coatings, polymers, and mixed materials complicate separation and cleaning. At the same time, successful recycling strategies could improve the industry’s carbon profile, reduce dependence on primary metal, and provide a more stable secondary feedstock for alloy development. The conference discussion also acknowledged that several established secondary magnesium suppliers are already producing alloys for the automotive industry and have capacity to support additional demand.

Awards of Excellence

The Awards of Excellence, presented during the Closing Reception and Awards Ceremony, provided practical examples of where magnesium innovation is moving. Meridian Lightweight Technologies and Dongfeng were recognized for a magnesium “Mega-Display” Bracket used in the Dongfeng VOYAH FREE full-electric SUV, demonstrating magnesium’s ability to support integrated, intelligent vehicle interior systems. ANDREAS STIHL AG & Co. KG received recognition for a magnesium mounting plate in a new battery chainsaw, integrating core machine functions into a robust, lightweight component. Haitian Zhisheng was honored for the HMG7000U Twin-screw Magnesium Thixomolding Machine, designed for large-scale integrated magnesium alloy castings. Other award recipients reflected the broadening magnesium landscape: a magnesium automatic side stepper for new energy vehicles; a comprehensive utilization technology for magnesium reduction slag; agricultural magnesium-based solid-state hydrogen storage materials and application technologies; and ALMAMET’s URSAFE melamine-free, non-ADR magnesium blends for hot metal desulfurization.

The Momentum of Magnesium

The 2026 IMA World Magnesium Conference closed with a sense that the industry is facing both pressure and opportunity. Supply concentration, carbon expectations, and the pace of ex-China project development remain serious challenges. These concerns are especially important given magnesium’s role in strategic manufacturing and defense-related applications, including aerospace structures, unmanned aerial systems, lightweight electronics housings, shielding for sensitive electronics, and other high-performance components where weight reduction, durability, and supply reliability are critical. As governments and manufacturers place greater emphasis on resilient domestic and allied supply chains, magnesium’s importance extends beyond commercial lightweighting into national industrial readiness. At the same time, the conference also highlighted real momentum: new production routes, more sophisticated market analysis, increased attention to recycling, advances in alloy and surface technologies, and emerging applications in vehicles, aerospace, robotics, drones, electronics, medical devices, and energy systems.

For the broader metals community, magnesium deserves close attention. It sits at the intersection of critical materials, lightweighting, material substitution, clean manufacturing, and supply-chain regionalization. Its growth will not be automatic, and the industry must continue to solve problems around cost stability, corrosion, joining, recycling, and low-carbon production. But the Montréal conference made one thing clear: magnesium is entering a new strategic period. The next decade will be shaped not simply by how much magnesium the world can produce, but by how intelligently the industry can deliver and communicate its value as a high-value, sustainable, and application-ready material.

Established in 1962, the IMA Awards of Excellence program honors organizations and individuals whose work demonstrates the advancement of magnesium technologies, products, processes, and applications across the global industry. This year's recipients showcased innovations ranging from automotive lightweighting and advanced manufacturing processes to sustainability initiatives and emerging magnesium technologies.

The 2026 IMA Awards of Excellence recipients are:

Automotive Cast Product Award

Meridian Lightweight Technologies, Dongfeng, and Dongfeng Motor Group for Magnesium "Mega-Display" Bracket.

Commercial Cast Product Award

ANDREAS STIHL AG & Co. KG for Mounting Plate.

Process Award

Ningbo Free Trade Zone Haitian Zhisheng Die-Casting Equipment Co., Ltd. for HMG7000U Twin-screw Magnesium Thixomolding Machine.

Wrought Product Award

Baomarc (Hefei) Technology Co., Ltd., SERES Group Co., Ltd., Baosteel Metal Co., Ltd., and Shanghai Parkerizing Co., Ltd. for Automatic Side Stepper (Door Electric Sidestep).

Environmental Responsibility Award

Anhui Baomagnesium Light Alloy Co., Ltd., Baosteel Metal Co., Ltd., Northeast University Nonferrous Solid Waste Technology Research Institute (Liaoning) Co., Ltd., Northeastern University, and Baowu Magnesium Technology Co., Ltd. for Comprehensive Utilization Technology of Magnesium Reduction Slag.

Future Technologies in Magnesium Award

Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai Mg Power Technology Co., Ltd., Shaoxing Institute of New Energy and Molecular Engineering, SJTU, Shaoxing Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Kuaijishan Shaoxing Rice Wine Co., Ltd., Shanghai Ningkun Mg-H Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd., and Tongchang Hydrogen (Zhangjiagang) Ecological Agriculture Garden Co., Ltd. for Innovative Magnesium-Based Hydrogenochromic Films.

Health & Safety Award

ALMAMET International Group for URSAFE – The World's First Melamine-Free, Non-ADR Magnesium Blends for Hot Metal Desulfurization.

In addition to the Awards of Excellence, IMA recognized outgoing Board Member and Immediate Past President Rick McQueary for his dedicated leadership and service to the Association. Rick served on the IMA Board of Directors from 2018 to 2026, including three years as President and three years as Immediate Past President. Throughout his tenure, he provided strong leadership, helped guide the Association through the challenges of the pandemic, strengthened relationships throughout the global magnesium community, and played an important role in advancing IMA's mission.

IMA congratulates all award recipients and thanks them for their continued contributions to advancing magnesium technology, sustainability, safety, and innovation across the global magnesium industry.

Learn more and view the 2026 Awards Showcase

Join us at the83rd Annual World Magnesium Conference, happening 17-19 May 2026 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada and position your company as a leader in the global magnesium industry.

Why Sponsor or Exhibit?

• Enhanced Visibility:Align your brand with the International Magnesium Association (IMA) and gain exposure to a global audience of industry professionals.

• Networking Opportunities:Engage directly with key stakeholders, fostering relationships that can drive your business forward.

• Educational Engagement:Associate your brand with cutting-edge industry insights and advancements presented at the conference.

Set in the vibrant city of Montreal, known for its international flair, rich culture, and dynamic business environment, the 2026 conference offers an exceptional setting to connect, learn, and showcase your organization. Montreal’s blend of European charm and North American accessibility makes it an ideal destination for global attendees and sponsors alike. TheOMNI Mount-Royal,our exceptional venue, provides a premier setting for networking, learning, and elevating your brand.

New this year is the exclusive sponsorship of the conference mobile application. This is included in the Premier sponsorship package and is a fantastic way to feature your company in highly visible and engaging way. The mobile app is used by almost all attendees to view the conference schedule, presentation slides, and network with one another.

This is your chance to expand your reach and strengthen your impact in the industry. Sponsorship and exhibit opportunities are limited, so act now!

We look forward to partnering with you to make the 2026 IMA World Magnesium Conference a success!

Wednesday, October 8, 2025
14:00 CEST | 8:00 AM EDT | 7:00 AM CDT

You are invited to participate in the upcoming IMA Sustainability Committee Review Meeting, taking place virtually on 8 October 2025.

This members-only session will be hosted by Elmar Beeh and Mohamad Abdallah of member company DLR and will include important updates on EU Magnesium Sustainability news, updates on the decarbonization roadmap, and progress across our working groups.

Agenda Highlights Include:

• Welcome; review & approval MoM 10.07.25
• Working Group Updates:
  • WG1: Eco-labelling Concept
  • WG2: Alternative process/technology scouting
  • WG3: Recycling
• CMA Status Quo Presentation
• EU Magnesium Sustainability News
• Updates along the decarbonization roadmap
• Upcoming IMA-related events

Please register in advance by visiting the IMA website. Once registered, you will receive the virtual meeting link in your confirmation email. This meeting is free and open exclusively to IMA members. Learn more about the committee here.

Learn more about the webinar and upcoming events at intlmag.org.

About the Global Magnesium Trade Flow Report

The Global Magnesium Trade Flow Report is a quarterly member-exclusive publication from the International Magnesium Association. It provides a global snapshot of magnesium import and export activity-covering primary magnesium, alloys, powders, and scrap across major regions including North America, Europe, Asia, and China. Designed to deliver actionable industry insights, the report helps members track market trends, monitor sourcing shifts, and stay informed on global trade dynamics in the magnesium sector.

Q4 2024 Global Magnesium Trade Flow Report

The Q4 edition of the Global Magnesium Trade Flow Report offers a detailed analysis of global magnesium trade trends through the end of 2024. This report examines import and export volumes across North America, Europe, East Asia, and China, focusing on primary magnesium, alloys, powder, and scrap. It highlights notable shifts in trade flows—including China's 13% overall export increase, Europe’s ongoing reliance on Chinese supply, and the decline in North American alloy imports. In addition to trade data, the report includes updated LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) values and a status update on global primary magnesium production projects.

Access the Q4 Report

IMA and CMA Finalize a Renewed Strategic Partnership through Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

During the recent 2025 IMA World Magnesium Conference, the International Magnesium Association (IMA) and the China Magnesium Association (CMA) proudly announced the completion of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), formalizing a multi‐year collaboration to accelerate innovation, transparency, and sustainable growth across the global magnesium industry. The agreement became effective on April 23, 2025.

Key Highlights of the MOU include: Data Sharing & Statistics: Need for exchanging critical industry data—production volumes, market trends, and consumption forecasts, newsletter exchange —to inform members’ strategic decisions.

• Academic Exchanges & Special Seminars: Organize academic exchanges, special seminars, and forums to advance the magnesium industry globally.
• Event Participation & Staff Exchanges: Mutual participation in each other’s flagship events, seminars, and training programs, as well as reciprocal opportunities to deepen organizational expertise.
• Sustainable Applications: Coordinated efforts to promote magnesium’s role in clean‐energy systems, automotive lightweighting, and other environmentally beneficial applications.

“On behalf of the International Magnesium Association, I am honored to recognize and celebrate our formal partnership with the China Magnesium Association,” said Hartmut Fischer, President of IMA. “This MOU reflects our shared commitment to advancing the global magnesium industry and underscores the importance of collaboration in today’s interconnected economy. By aligning our organizations, we strengthen our ability to exchange critical data, identify joint innovation opportunities, and promote magnesium’s sustainable applications worldwide.”

The signing ceremony featured key leaders from both organizations, including Mr. Qian Vice President and Secretary General of Magnesium Branch of China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association.

About the International Magnesium Association (IMA) IMA is the global voice of the magnesium industry, serving manufacturers and consumers through its Annual World Magnesium Conference, seminars, statistical programs, research, and publications. Learn more at https://www.intlmag.org.

About the China Magnesium Association (CMA) China Magnesium Association (CMA) has more than 140 members with a business scope covering magnesium production, scientific research, education, designing, application, manufacture of magnesium producing equipment, trading etc. The mission of CMA is service, coordination, self-discipline and supervision.

Showcasing Global Collaboration and Innovation in the Magnesium Industry

The Great Diecasting Technology Forum (GDCTECH) is inviting IMA members to join for the first ever Conference on “Magnesium Casting Manufacturing Technology – Challenges & Opportunities” on22-23 January 2025 at The Pride Hotel, Pune India.

IMA signed a cooperation agreement with GDCTECH to support developing the India Magnesium industry, and provides service for the organising committees, supporting with speakers, attendants and an accompaniedIMA member visit tour.

The organiser expects up to 100 participants covering:

• Mg Casting
• Aerospace & Defence
• Suppliers Equipment
• Buyers Automotive
• Die casting Industries

The agenda & technical program will cover:

• Status of Producing Magnesium in India
• Foundry Fluxes and Consumables for Magnesium
• Tooling – Kind & Co.
• Methoding and design aspects
• Defects and Remedies
• Furnace, Melting & Metal Handling
• Recycling Technology
• Equipment for PDC
• Surface Treatment
• Lubricants
• Metallurgy of Mg. Alloys
• Advantages of Mg Castings over other Metals
• Innovations in Impregnation Technology for Magnesium
• Panel Discussion: Market & Challenges- Auto & Non-Auto

Companies, who have already agreed to present/participate are:

LIMAG, Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory, (DMRL), Scottish Chemicals, Kind & Co., Rauch, Buhler, Henkel, Lubrikote, Mr. B. P. Krishnan, Consultant, Pvt. Ltd., Tata Motors Ltd., Royal Enfield / TML, HAL, Foxconn / ECL

The full program, agenda and registration will be online by 10 December 2024.

IMA is in discussion of the possibility to visit local member sites during the visit in India. We are kindly invited by Scottish Chemicals (Mumbai) and IBEX (Bangalore).

If you have any questions, please contact Martin Taubermartintauber3120@gmail.com, who will participate in person at the event.

Call for Abstracts for the 2025 World Magnesium Conference

The International Magnesium Association is pleased to invite abstracts of papers proposed for presentation at 2025 82^ndAnnual World Magnesium Conference, scheduled for May 11-13, 2025, in Salzburg, Austria.

The IMA's World Magnesium Conference is the premier international magnesium industry conference highlighting technological advances, innovative applications, and emerging developments in the global marketplace. This valuable conference will provide magnesium industry professionals with the latest information and advances on magnesium processes, applications, technology and environmental concerns. 

You are among the best and the brightest in the industry—so, share your expertise and knowledge by presenting a paper at the 2025 IMA World Magnesium Conference. You’ll be helping to advance the industry and have an unparalleled opportunity to address magnesium professionals, industry leaders, and decision-makers, who seek cutting-edge information and problem-solving resources. 

The IMA Program Committee is pleased to invite abstracts of no more than 150 words for a proposed presentation. Abstracts are invited from around the world to address all topics related to metal magnesium.

For complete details, please visit theIMA Website.The official language of the Conference will be English. It is preferred that all abstracts and final selected manuscripts be submitted in English. Simultaneous translations will be provided at the Conference. 

Thank you, 

IMA 2025 Program Committee  
Dietmar Letzig, Chair, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon 
Alan Luo, Co-Chair, The Ohio State University
Kazumasa Yamazaki, Co-chair, Nippon Kinzoku - JMA
Jonathan Weiler, Meridian Lightweight LLC 
Hartmut Fischer, STIHL Magnesium Die-Casting 
Fernando Franca, RIMA 
Martin Tauber, IMA Staff 
Rose Eaton, IMA Staff
Zisheng Zhen, Magontec Group 
Jiangfeng Song, Chongqing University 
Todd Olson, Twin City Die Castings 
Kelsey Olson, IMA Staff
Alexis Cartamil, IMA Staff  
Andrew Spear, IMA Staff 

Throughout his career, he has held various senior positions, where he successfully led cross-functional teams and managed complex projects. His strategic vision and innovative approach have been instrumental in driving growth and fostering strong relationships within the industry. Mike’s expertise spans across sales, operations, and business development, making him a well-rounded leader.

Mike is enthusiastic about contributing to IMA’s mission and advancing the interests of magnesium sustainability and recyclability. He is particularly passionate about advocating for policies that support the sustainable growth of the industry and facilitating knowledge sharing and best practices among IMA members.

In his new role, Mike looks forward to leveraging his extensive experience to help the IMA achieve its goals and further strengthen the magnesium industry’s position in the market.

Please join us in congratulating Mike on this prestigious appointment and wishing him success in his new role!

Giuseppe, a resident of Italy in Montalto Dora, Turin, brings over three decades of experience in the metals and recycling sector. A chemist by training, he has significantly contributed to multinational companies like Alcan, Novelis, and Constellium, focusing on quality, environment, safety, and industrial cost management and production. For the past 12 years, Giuseppe has been involved in metals trading and currently leads the Metals Trading division at CellMark AB, managing a global team.

As a member of the IMA Board, Giuseppe is dedicated to defending and expanding the image of Magnesium and its applications. He aims to enhance the understanding and management of magnesium scrap and its recycling and asserting the metal's environmental benefits.

Giuseppe continues the legacy of Ken White, our esteemed former European Committee Chairman since 2016, who passed away in May 2024. He looks forward to collaborating with Martin Tauber, IMA European Representative, and the European Committee members to increase the profile of the committee and its important industry topics in the IMA.

Please join us in welcoming Giuseppe Filomena to his new role.

Access it Here

We are pleased to announce the results of the IMA Board of Directors election for the 2024-2027 three-year term. All five nominated candidates have been elected by our membership.

Congratulations to:

• Nic Andrews (IMA Treasurer/Secretary) | Magontec Limited (Australia)
• Elmar Beeh (IMA Chair of Sustainability Committee) | DLR – German Aerospace Center (Germany)
• Alan Luo (IMA Chair of Program/Conference Committees) | The Ohio State University (United States)
• Rick McQueary (IMA Past President) | Mag Specialties Inc. (United States)
• Alexander Rhomberg | Alamet (Germany)

Thank you to everyone who participated in the election. Your involvement is crucial in shaping the future of IMA.

Best Regards,

Jan Guy
Chair, IMA Nominations Committee

[Minneapolis, Minnesota, November 7, 2023] - The International Magnesium Association (IMA) is excited to unveil its new India Chapter, reflecting a deepening of our engagement with the Indian magnesium community. This significant decision stems from years of collaboration with Indian academia and businesses, led predominantly by our longstanding European member, Birmingham City University (BCU).

The burgeoning relationship with India over the past 5-6 years, particularly in the realms of (die) casting, recycling, and other market outlets such as Mg powder for steel desulphurization., has highlighted the potential and the need for a dedicated India Chapter. The formation of this chapter has been a collective effort, with considerable support from European members, BCU, and a growing base of local IMA members.

IMA President, Hartmut Fischer, comments, "The establishment of the IMA's India Chapter underscores the importance of India in the global magnesium arena. The prospects this chapter brings, from knowledge sharing to promoting innovation, are immense. We eagerly anticipate the dynamism this will infuse into IMA's global outreach."

Mr S.K.Rai, Vice Chairman Hero Cycles Ltd said "Today, as we inaugurate the India Magnesium chapter, we underscore the pivotal role of magnesium in shaping the future of vehicle manufacturing. At Hero, we recognize that this lightweight wonder metal is the driving force behind innovation, efficiency, and sustainability in the vehicle industry. Magnesium is not just a metal; it's a key ingredient in our journey towards lighter, safer, and greener vehicles. Together, let's accelerate the vehicle evolution with magnesium, forging a brighter, more sustainable future on Indian roads."

Professor Julian Beer, Birmingham City University (BCU) Deputy Vice-Chancellor (and Chair of the BCU India Group) stated: This is a very proud moment for BCU in being a catalyst for innovation and a key partner in the creation of the IMA's India Chapter.  BCU have a longstanding partnership with IMA, research interest in magnesium, coupled with our strategic partnership focus on India; and we see this Chapter being part of the global change towards understanding the importance of alternative materials in the EV revolution.

The main objectives driving the creation of this chapter encompass a broad spectrum of goals. One of its principal aims is to serve as a comprehensive marketing platform for magnesium across all its applications. Additionally, the chapter will provide a vital local platform for collaboration between businesses and academia. Moreover, in collaboration with BCU and HERO, there's an ambitious plan to set up a magnesium knowledge and competence center. This chapter is also poised to be at the forefront of organizing a mix of online and in-person events, ensuring that it becomes a crucial networking hub for IMA's global membership.

In terms of immediate goals, there's an enthusiastic push to host an online conference soon. Depending on the success of the online event, a physical conference is also on the cards. One of the chapter's longer-term aims is to achieve a robust membership base, targeting 20 regular local IMA members within the next three years.

The chapter's leadership will comprise:

• Chairman: Srikanth GP, Managing Director of IBEX Engineering
• Honorary Secretary: Dr. Prem Kumar, Executive Director, Munjal BCU Centre of Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
• Academia Representative: Makhan Singh, Martin Weston from Birmingham City University (BCU)

For further details on the India Chapter, its members, and forthcoming activities, please contact Makhan Singh, Senior Developent Manager for the Partnerships Team within BCU  or Martin Tauber, IMA European Representative.

New IMA President, Board of Directors

We are delighted to announce that Hartmut Fischer has been elected as the new President of the Board of Directors for the International Magnesium Association (IMA). With an illustrious career spanning 37 years at STIHL, Hartmut brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his new role. As a engineer from the University of Hannover, his journey at STIHL began in predevelopment and evolved into critical leadership positions, including Department Manager for reliability testing chainsaws, Department Manager for R&D and Head of Cylinder Production, and even as Division Manager for professional chainsaw projects in STIHL Brazil.

Hartmut's dedication to the industry is underscored by his tenure as the Chairman, Board Member, and President of the European Garden Machinery Federation (EGMF) for 10 years. Additionally, his role as President of the Verband Deutscher Druckgießer (VDD) highlights his commitment to advancing the field. Hartmut's outstanding contributions have also been recognized with two prestigious IMA Awards of Excellence during his time at ANDREAS STIHL AG & Co. KG. We are confident that under Hartmut Fischer's leadership, the IMA will continue to flourish and drive innovation in the world of magnesium production and applications. Please join us in congratulating Hartmut on his election to the leadership role for IMA!

New IMA Executive Vice President

The International Magnesium Association (IMA) is pleased to introduce Andrew Spear as our new Executive Vice President (EVP). Andrew's academic qualifications include holding a bachelor's degree in business leadership and an MBA with dual concentrations in Project Management and Marketing.

Andrew's extensive experience in event operations management, problem-solving, and his passion for building meaningful relationships make him an excellent addition to our team. His background overseeing large-scale events, supervising staff, managing budgets, and collaborating with diverse teams demonstrates his strong leadership and organizational skills, qualities that will undoubtedly contribute to the continued success of the IMA. We look forward to Andrew's contributions as we continue to grow our mission at the IMA. David Ewald, interim EVP, will continue to work closely with Andrew during this transition. Please join us in welcoming him to the team!

Members of the International Magnesium Association (IMA) have cast their ballots for leadership for the 2023-2026 terms.

New leaders elected to three-year terms on the board of directors include:

New leader elected to two-year term on the board of directors to fill a vacancy is:

In addition to the newly elected board members, the following members were re-elected to serve on the board of directors for three-year terms:

IMA would like to thank former board members Johnathan Chien, MagReTech; and Daniel Jewel, Magnium, for their service and dedication to IMA.

“We continue to have outstanding volunteer leaders stepping up to serve and guide IMA forward. I am so grateful to our board members for their ongoing commitment to IMA. Congratulations on your elections!” – Todd Olson, IMA Nominations Committee Chair

2023 Award Showcase will be available soon.

Recipients of the 2023 IMA Awards of Excellence are:

Automotive Cast Product
Acura TLX Steering Hanger Beam
Meridian Lightweight Technologies
Honda Development & Manufacturing of America, LLC

Commercial (non-automotive) Cast Product
High-Temperature Magnesium Alloy Small Engine Cylinder
Brunel University
Husqvarna AB

Future Technologies in Magnesium - New in 2022
Magnesium-based Solid-State Hydrogen Storage Materials & Systems
Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Chongqing University
Shanghai Hyfun Energy Technology Co., Ltd.
Shanghai Mg Power Technology Co., Ltd.

Wrought Product
Extruded Shelving System for Rivian Electric Delivery Vans
Mag Specialties
Leggera Technologies LLC
Rivian Automotive Inc.

Process
Floor Panels for Experimental High-Speed Trains
Kawasaki Rail Car Manufacturing

Environmental Responsibility
Reduced Primary Magnesium Carbon Footprint
Rima Industrial

Read the full event summary (In Chinese*).

The 2023 Magnesium Industry Chain and Magnesium Market (Chaohu) Forum hosted by Shangmag.com was held in Chaohu on 10-11 April. At the opening ceremony of the forum, Mr. Rick McQueary, President of the International Magnesium Association, delivers a video speech
The International Magnesium Association supports the global growth of the magnesium metal industry. Here I would like to introduce several aspects of the work of the International Magnesium Association:

• Promote the application of magnesium metal in various industries.
• Represent the relevant interests of our magnesium industry chain members around the world and make a consistent voice.
• Conduct research and training on issues related to the environment, health and safety of magnesium and the magnesium industry.
• Accurately and timely summarize the relevant statistical data of the magnesium industry.

View IMA President Rick McQueary's welcome remarks (In Chinese*).

*Add webpage translation extensions to web browsers:

• FireFox - https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/features/translate/
• Google Chrome - https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/google-translate/aapbdbdomjkkjkaonfhkkikfgjllcleb?hl=en

IMA Predicts a Bright Future for Magnesium - By Rose Eaton, Light Metal Age