ISSN 2056-6735 (Online)

Brexit: In Pursuit of Clarity
MMTA Member Focus: Hunan Jinwang Bismuth
China Lithium Developments

The magazine of the Minor Metals Trade Association

1st Edition 2017/January www.mmta.co.uk

1

THE MMTA’S INTERNATIONAL MINOR METALS CONFERENCE 2017
TAKING PLACE AT THE CONRAD HOTEL, DUBLIN, IRELAND, 24-26 APRIL 2017
Organised by Metal Events Ltd

Over 180 delegates have already registered:
The MMTA’s Popular Science Talk: Laurence Knight, Producer, BBC World Service, and Andrea Sella, Professor of Inorganic
Chemistry, University College London, will take a tour around some of the amazing minor metals elements that make up ourindustry. The BBC World Service has just completed its Elements programme, which took a close look at chemical elements, the basic
building blocks of the universe. Where do we get them, what do we use them for and how do they fit into our economy?
“Developments in aero-engines and material choice”, by Bill Reid, Strategic Sourcing Manager: airfoil castings, forgings and millproducts, Pratt & Whitney, USA;
“Delivering a conflict-free supply chain”, by Carolyn Duran, Director, Global Supply Management, Intel Corp, USA;“An update on specialty and stainless markets”, by Markus Moll, Managing Director, SMR GmbH, Austria;“Coatings for gas turbine blades”, by Dr Lisa O’Donoghue, University of Limerick, Ireland;“Tomtor — an alternative source of supply for scandium and niobium”, by Alexander Malakh, Chairman of the Board, TriArc
Mining Ltd;
“Energy storage and its applications”, by Professor Peter Hall, Chair in Chemical Engineering, The University of Sheffield, UK;“The lithium ion battery mega factories: Lithium, graphite and cobalt impact”, by Andy Miller, Analyst, Benchmark MineralIntelligence, UK.;
“Cobalt and lithium supply requirements”, by Rebecca Gordon, Consultant, CRU Consulting, UK;“Future applications for minor metals: Bi, In, Se, Ge, & Ga”, by Dominic Boyle, PPM Pure Metals GmbH, Germany;“Outlook for antimony”, by Geert Krekel, Managing Director, Campine, Belgium

Be sure to take advantage of the current excellent early-bird rates:
MMTA Members will pay the rate of £800 (+ VAT where applicable) for all registrations received by 15th February 2107
The current fee for Non-Members is £1050 (+ VAT where applicable) for all registrations received by 15th February 2017
To register for the conference please visit www.metalevents.com or www.mmta.co.uk/event/mmta_conference_2017
or alternatively email sales@metalevents.com

MMTA Conference Golf Tournament, hosted by ICD
Alloys & Metals LLC
For our first golf tournament, taking place on Monday 24th April before the start of the conference, we will beat the prestigious K Club, previous venue of the Ryder Cup.
The tournament fee of EUR150 (+ VAT where applicable) will include transport by coach from and back to theconference hotel, breakfast on arrival, 18 holes of golf, electric buggy, and lunch
Registered conference delegates wishing to join this event, should contact admin@mmta.co.uk

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2

NEW MMTA MEMBER COMPANIESINSIDE THIS ISSUE
New Members

3

Supercapacitor s

4

Letter from North America

6

EU Anti-Dumping; Lithium Tech

7

MMTA Member—Jinwang

8

ICICI Bank Ltd. has subsidiaries in the UK and Canada, with branches in the
United States, Singapore, Bahrain, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, Qatar and Dubai
International Finance Centre. There are also representative offices in the
United Arab Emirates, China, South Africa, Bangladesh, Malaysia and Indonesia.

Brexit: In Pursuit of Clarity

10“Great Repeal Bill”; REACH Event

12

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As ICICI Bank UK we operate from 8 locations in the UK and also have branches
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Braving the Elements

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Contact: Connor Barnes

Email: connor.barnes@icicibank.com

The MMTA promotes
essential elements that add
quality, safety andenjoyment to our lives.
The MMTA is the world's
leading minor metals industry
organisation.

Website: www.icicibank.com

BOMET Recycling Inc. is a
non-ferrous scrap metal
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Contact Us:
Address: MMTA, Suite 53, 3 Whitehall Court,
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Tel: +44 (0)207 833 0237
Email: executive@mmta.co.uk

Since its inception in 2005, BOMET Recycling’s services are primarily focusedon the collection and processing of dealers’ scrap metal material, including
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Disclaimer: The information and data contained inthis edition of the Crucible (the Material) has been
compiled by the Minor Metals Trade Association (MMTA)
from sources believed to be reliable at the time of writing
but the MMTA makes no representation or warranty(express or implied) as to the accuracy, timeliness orcompleteness of the Material. The Material is provided for
information purposes only, but is not to be relied upon as
authoritative or taken in substitution for the exercise of thereader’s own skill and judgment. It should not be relied
upon for any specific or general application without firstobtaining competent advice. The MMTA, its members, staff
and consultants accept no liability whatsoever (howeverthat liability arises) for any direct, indirect or consequential
loss arising from any use of the Material.
The Crucible contains links to third party websites andmaterial and information created and maintained byorganisations other than the MMTA. These links areprovided solely for your convenience. The MMTA does notguarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, orcompleteness of any third party information or material
accessed by means of a link within the Crucible. The
inclusion of a link is not intended to reflect the importanceof the third party materials accessed through it, nor is it
intended to endorse any views expressed, accuracy ofmaterial, products or services offered or other information
made available via the link.

3

High-energy supercapacitor
could revolutionise battery
power storage
Adapted from Supercapacitor Materials Ltd
By James Walsh, MMTA
Ground-breaking research from the University of Surrey andAugmented Optics Ltd., in collaboration with the University ofBristol, has developed potentially transformational technology

Elon Musk, of Tesla and SpaceX, has previously stated his belief thatwhich could revolutionise the capabilities of appliances that havesupercapacitors are likely to be the technology for future electric air

previously relied on battery power to work.

transportation. The new scientific advance could make that visionThis development by Augmented Optics Ltd., could translate intoa reality.

very high energy density super-capacitors, making it possible to

The technology was adapted from the principles used to make soft

recharge your mobile phone, laptop or other mobile devices in justcontact lenses, which Dr Donald Highgate (of Augmented Optics,

a few seconds.

and an alumnus of the University of Surrey) developed following his

This new technology could have a huge impact across many sectors,

postgraduate studies at Surrey 40 years ago.

including transport, aerospace and energy generation. A little more

Supercapacitors, an alternative power source to batteries, store

tangibly for the general public is in household applications, such asenergy using electrodes and electrolytes, and both charge andmobile phones, and flat screen electronic devices.

deliver energy quickly, unlike conventional batteries which do so in a

It could also revolutionise electric cars, allowing the possibility formuch slower, more sustained way.

them to be recharged as quickly as it takes for a regular non-Supercapacitors have the ability to charge and discharge rapidly

electric car to refuel with petrol – a process that currently takes

over very large numbers of cycles. However, because of their poor

approximately 6-8 hours to recharge.

energy density per kilogramme (approximately just one twentieth of

Imagine, the new technology could allow the electric car to travel
greatly extended distances without the need to recharge, and when
it did recharge, for this operation to take just a few minutes toperform.
The University of Bristol says it is “proven to be between 1,00010,000 times more powerful than the existing battery alternative”.
Supercapacitor buses are already being used in China, but they havea very limited range, whereas this technology could allow them toexisting battery technology), they have, until now, been unable tocompete with conventional battery energy storage in many
applications.
Dr Brendan Howlin of the University of Surrey, explained: “There is a
global search for new energy storage technology and this new ultra
capacity supercapacitor has the potential to open the door tounimaginably exciting developments.”
Source: http://www.supercapacitormaterials.com/

travel a lot further between recharges.

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5Letter From North America
Dear Members

On the alternative energy front, I don’t have any clarity on what

Much has happened since I wrote you on November 8th last year:

might happen. Whilst Mr Trump has, very publically, espoused a love

The old year has passed and we are now getting stuck in to 2017;
Mariah Carey’s concert in Times Square on New Year’s Eve was ashambles; and we here in New York are yet to experience any

for coal, coal miners, and the coal industry in the U.S., I cannot
remember his having actually been ‘anti’ alternative energy. So,
once again, we’ll just have to wait and see.

proper winter weather. Having said that, though, looking out of the

As many of you will have seen, one of the ways currently being

window now, it’s actually snowing.

mooted within the administration-to-be to help make America

Oh, and yes, since I last wrote we now have our 45th president

great again is the imposition of a tariff on all imported goods. At one(elect) – Donald Trump. And what a surprise that was. To give you
an idea of the trauma this caused in some quarters, at the hideously

point in his campaign, Mr Trump pitched such a tax at 45%. The
current thinking is a little lower – 5%.

expensive private high school up the block from us, the weeping,If the concept is developed further, the interesting thing will be

wailing, and gnashing of teeth amongst the pupils was so great on

what is defined as a “good”. Will imported raw materials bethNovember 9 that theincluded? Since, if I

school had to be closed forremember correctly, athe day!

great many of themetals mined, refined,

One of my oldest friends

worked, sold and tradedback in England sent me aby our members have tosweet e-mail with thebe imported by thissubject line

country, this tax will

Photo Credit: Factor-Tech Magazine“Commiserations”. Whilst

certainly be something

the temptation on her partto keep an eye on.

to indulge in a degree

schadenfreude must have

As for any changes Mr

been quite strong, instead

Trump and his teamshe put things in terms,

may make at places likefrom her side, of Brexit. I

the EPA and how these

was therefore able to

may affect members,

draw some comfort from her words.

I’m afraid I know nothing. Once again, we’ll just have to wait and see.

But nobody really knows what’s going to happen after theWhilst I must apologize for not being able to provide you with any

inauguration on 20th January. This probably includes Mr Trump

real concrete direction on what’s going to start happening in ahimself. There’s obviously lots of stuff he’d love (and has

couple of weeks, I think I may not be alone in this respect. Restpromised) to do. But whether he’ll actually be able to do it is another assured, though, that, in coming missives, I shall try to highlightmatter altogether.
So, what does his election (and Republican control of both houses)

anything that might help provide some insight as to where we here
are headed and how this may affect MMTA members.

mean for MMTA members? This, too, is uncertain. Mr Trump has

In the meantime, though, I should like to wish all members

sounded off about both TPP and TTIP. My guess is that TTIP won’t

everywhere a very happy, if somewhat belated, New Year and thehappen and that TPP could still happen, but without the U.S. – forbest 2017 possible.

what that’ll be worth.
Many have long argued that the granting of permits for mining andexploration here in the U.S. is a true mess. I think we may, now, see

As always, I remain, with best wishes from New YorkYours

some moves on this front. Indeed, there may, quite soon, be someTom Butcher, January 8th, 2017

action in the House on the National Strategic and Critical Minerals©2017 Tom Butcher

Production Act. Not least as one of the co-sponsors of the act is now
Mr Trump’s nominee for Secretary of the Interior, Congresswoman
Ms Cathy McMorris Rodgers.
6

EU Anti-Dumping Update

The EU is responsible for ensuring that its trade defence
instruments (TDIs) remain effective in dealing with significant
market distortions in certain countries that can lead to industrialthovercapacity, and that encourage exporters to dump their products
December 11 marked the anniversary of China’s 15 years as amember of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). It was expected, by on the EU market. This causes damage to European industries,
China, that they would finally attain “market-economy status” and which ultimately can result in job losses and factory closures, as has
been the case recently in the EU steel sector.
an end to being labelled a “non-market economy”. The European
Union and America have refused to acknowledge such a transition,
The proposal should be seen in the context of the October European
leading to China pursuing legal action.
Council's call for an urgent and balanced agreement on the Council
The row focuses on the wording in the original accession agreement position on the comprehensive modernisation of all trade defence
instruments by the end of 2016. Reforming the anti-dumping
and concerns the method WTO members use to protect their
methodology would be an important part of the reforms needed, on
industries against cheap Chinese imports. The agreement
welcoming China into the WTO gave other members licence to treat top of the modernisation of all TDIs which the Commission
it as a non-market economy until December 11th 2016, meaning they proposed back in 2013.
could ignore domestic prices when assessing the appropriate value
This new anti-dumping methodology would apply to cases initiatedof Chinese imports.
once the amended rules are in force. The proposal also includes a
China has expected to be treated like any other market economy by transition period during which all anti-dumping measures currently
in place as well as ongoing investigations would remain subject toother WTO members from this date onwards; whereas America’s
position is that after December 11th, China is no longer automatically the existing legislation.
a non-market economy. But WTO members can use their discretion
Even if China wins the initial set of cases, WTO law does not force
as to whether it is a market economy, and since, according toother countries always to use exact Chinese prices in their antiAmerica’s own criteria, China is not, it can keep using third-country
dumping measures. The full scope of what they can do is still legally
prices in anti-dumping cases.
uncertain.
The European Commission has presented a proposal for a new
As the WTO have not provided a clear definition of a “market
method for calculating dumping on imports from countries where
economy”, there is a difficulty in fitting China’s particular type of
there are significant market distortions, or where the state has acapitalism into a binary view of a market, or non-market economy.
pervasive influence on the economy. The purpose is to make sure
A long drawn out legal battle is now expected, not made any easierthat Europe has trade defence instruments that are able to dealby President Trump’s protectionist “American First” views on trade.
with current realities – notably overcapacities – in the international
Source: http://www.economist.com/news/finance-andtrading environment, while fully respecting the EU's international
obligations in the legal framework of the World Trade Organisation economics/21711911-donald-trump-might-get-trade-war-withouteven-trying-early-salvo-trade(WTO).

China Lithium Developments

such as Japan and South Korea.

If there is no improvement in the domestic situation, with scientific
By China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association - Lithium research institutions isolated from production enterprises, and lack
Branch (CNIA-Li)of technological innovation ability, lithium resources andSince new energy industry was the key support orientation in the“Made in China 2025”National Strategy and during the 13th-FiveYear Plan period, China plans to accumulatively manufacture andsell 5 million new energy automobiles by 2020. The world's major
automobile producers also put forward the development programof the electric car, according to which the global production of
new energy automobiles is estimated to total more than 13 million
units by 2020.
In recent years, China’s new energy industry experienced an
explosive development due to the continued policy support andrising demand in China, and China’s lithium industry maintained
high growth momentum. There was strong demand in China’s
lithium carbonate market; with the lithium price soaring andtight supply.

technology may be dominated by a few large foreign companies,
following the same old disastrous road of iron ore and sylvite
several years ago.
As a global lithium resource-rich country, how to effectively develop and utilize lithium resources in China? And as a main producerof automobiles, how to make progress in the field of new energy
vehicles? Under this background, and to implement the “innovation-driven development” strategy by the Central Government, the2017 International Lithium Conference will be held, co-hosted by
Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) and China Nonferrous
Metals Industry Association (CNIA) on March 14-16, 2017.

The conference will invite officials from government sectors,
experts and scholars of leading enterprises at home and abroad,and scientific research institutions to set up a communication
platform of the lithium industry, promote the combination of
Despite abundant lithium resources, large-scale production of
production, study and research, combination of national policy andlithium has not been developed in China, restricted by many
enterprise appeal, and a combination of upstream, middle stream
conditions, and China mainly imported lithium from South America and downstream sectors within the lithium industry chain, andand Australia, etc; leaving domestic lithium battery and new energy discuss the technology development trend of the lithium industry.
automotive technology lagging far behind developed countries
7

MMTA Member Focus:
Hunan Jinwang Bismuth
Industrial Co Ltd.
By Maria Cox, MMTA
During my recent visit to China to participate in the CNIA Global

So, Jinwang has built one of the largest bismuth smelting andMinor Metals Forum (China), I was delighted to be invited to visit theprocessing enterprises in the world. And the company contributes to

Hunan Jinwang Bismuth Industrial Co Ltd plant in Chenzhou, Hunan the recycling economy and demonstrates clean smelting in theProvince. After experiencing the wonderful high speed train (for an
English person, suffering endless train strikes and a creaking, overcrowded service, this was a great experience in itself), we were met
and transported to the factory by car by our hosts. My companion
was Fan Li, who many of you may know from Metal Events, and who
will be assisting MMTA with Chinese membership development.

non-ferrous metal smelting enterprises.
It is clear to me that this commitment to the environment is an
important company goal, and I’m interested to understand how
these environmental goals help to attract employees and inspirethem in their work. I’m told that Jinwang’s Chairman Mr.Wu
Zuxiang, is very focussed on employee benefits, and health. From

The plant is at the forefront in the development of a circular

his own experience of 20 years ago, when he started his career, it

economy operation by extracting bismuth from copper smelting

was from a homemade smelting plant, which was very simple andsoot, and from all kinds of bismuth-containing waste materials from provided no protection, not even any environmental protection
smelters, and recycling them. In this way, the company has beensystem. At that time, there were hundreds and thousands of theseable to close the loop between production and consumption andhomemade smelting plants in China. So, Mr.Wu decided to change

ensure the full utilisation of these natural – and valuable -things, which led to him building a new smelting plant and new

resources, whilst at the same time minimising the negativeenvironment system, to set up a new standard of bismuth smelting

environmental impacts caused by untreated secondary materials.

plant.

Founded in 2001, Hunan Jinwang Bismuth Industrial Co Ltd

Xianxi Main Workshop(Jinwang) has developed rapidly and invested heavily in scientificresearch and innovation. Walking around the site, there is clearly agreat deal of pride in what the company has accomplished in a relatively short period of time. The plant is modern, and the company
is looking towards ongoing development of newprocesses andequipment.
An example is the Xianxi Main Workshop, which provides a cuttingedge bismuth smelting process producing lead bullion or lead bismuth alloys, with sulfuric acid as a by-product of the process.
The company’s aim is to establish an ecological industrial park, focussing on the circular economy and supporting the Chinese economy by returning valuable secondary resources to use, as well as
contributing to efforts to protect the environment.
The main technology used by the Xianxi factory is the melting of an
oxygen-enriched double blow pool, which is the first time such technology has been used in the bismuth smelting processing in theworld. The new technology can absorb any kind of bismuth containing materials in the world, and compared to the traditional technology of bismuth processing, it improves processing time and also theability to process complex material.
8hazards. And even better, the cost is only fifty percent of the
traditional process.
The bismuth products produced include bismuth needles, bismuthoxide, bismuth chemicals, bismuth powder, and bismuth alloys.
Through the implementation of the ROHS Directive, bismuth, as thebest alternative to lead and chromium, is becoming more and more
widely used in the fields of electronic packaging, coating,semiconductor, nuclear power, and sanitary ware。
And finally, we ended our tour in the high-security pharmaceuticalplant, where bismuth powders – bismuth aluminate, bismuth
potassium citrate, bismuth subnitrate and bismuth subcarbonate –are used in a range of medicines, in particular for the treatment of
stomach and intestinal complaints. For obvious safety reasons,
there are strict controls on entry into this area, as well as what
clothing can be worn. Quality standards are government controlled
to ensure compliance with human health regulations.
Apart from bismuth in many forms, the plant produces silver, gold
and tellurium for a range of metallurgical and industrial processes,
as well as operating separate chemical and pharmaceutical plants.
After visiting the main smelter plant, our guests took us to view thechemicals plant – producing bismuth chemicals for a range of salts,
coatings and cosmetics, where it provides the pearlescent finishes
to many products. Its wide and varied end uses include bismuthoxide, which has uses in electronics, military and medical
applications, as well as being a semiconductor, and bismuth
subsalicylate, used as an antibacterial.
Bismuth oxide technology: Our hosts explain that “our productionof bismuth oxide is amongst the leading technology in the world Arc method bismuth vaporization”, which is efficient and offers
environmental protection, as well as a reduction in costs. Arc
method bismuth vaporization is a direct combination of oxygen in
the air, without any subsidiary material. Compared to the
traditional, wet bismuth process, it won't produce any wastematerial, ie waste water and waste gas and other environmental

Lunch with the team

Following our fascinating tour of the Jinwang factory, our hosts
very kindly invited Fan and myself to a wonderful lunch, where wewere able to discuss the MMTA and how we can continue improving
our support of our Chinese members.
The MMTA wishes to thank everyone at Jinwang for their time andtheir wonderful hospitality.

Jinwang hosted banquet9Brexit: In pursuit of clarity

Lords in the audience believed that there would not be any undue
delay caused by the Lords.

By Tamara Alliot, MMTA

Other pertinent points raised included the uncertain future of some
European countries at the moment, with elections in France andGermany during 2017, and the change of the EU Parliament in
Summer 2019.

The British public has spoken and the long and winding road toleaving the EU has started.

The attitude of the European Parliament to the UK’s decision should
not be underestimated, which perhaps could encourage
Those at the helm have the challenge of steering the nation to aprosperous new future outside the confines of the EU while avoiding unnecessary delays and barriers. It does seem unlikely, however,
the many pitfalls. Whatever your personal feeling on the matter, the that a General Election will be called in the UK before 2020,
according to Jack Straw, so this is not likely to be a factor in delaying
political, social and economic uncertainty that has been unleased
the process.
makes for truly interesting times.
At the end of November, MMTA member, Holman Fenwick Willan(HFW), put together an exceptional seminar asking for some ‘clear
thinking’ on Brexit from an illustrious panel (with a mix of Bremainers and Brexiteers represented) The discussion was chaired by Radio
4 ‘Today’ programme presenter, John Humphrys.

Humphrys’ second question was simply ‘What do we mean by ‘go’?’of Article 50 will be completed and theoretically the UK could haveleft the EU by the then..

Another point from the panel is that there is unlikely to be a ‘bonfire
of regulations’, as industries will need to stay compliant in order toaccess markets; rather, EU laws will be transferred into British laws.

As a background note, during the campaign for the ‘Leave’ side,slogans such as ‘taking back control’ were used abundantly.

The government has been shy on their intentions according to Ruth
Lea. During the last Conservative party conference, Theresa May said
The panel consisted of:she wants to control immigration. This means that we would by
Ruth Lea—economic adviser and Director of the Arbuthnot Banking default have to leave the EEA (European Economic Area). The 4
freedoms guaranteed by EU Membership are free movement ofGroupgoods, freedom of movement for workers, right of establishment
The Right Honourable Jack Straw, Home and Foreign Secretaryand freedom to provide services and free movement of capital. Only
under Prime Minister Tony Blairtaking one part of the deal is not an option if May is serious about
Anthony Woolich, Partner and Head of Competition and Regulation controlling immigration from EU countries.
for HFW
Adding further weight to the argument, it was emphasised that thesingle market and the customs union are not the same thing, andJoshua Rozenburg QC, British legal commentator and journalistthat if we stayed in the EEA then the EU Court still has power,
Sir Paul Jenkins QC, formerly the UK Government’s most senior
therefore staying in the EEA would be a very ‘soft’ Brexit indeed, andlegal official and the Permanent Secretary to the Attorney Generalunlikely to go down well with Brexiteer voters.
There were around 150 delegates in the room, comprised of lawyers,
It seems, however, that immigration is unlikely to be curbed in total
insurers, bankers and representatives of large UK companies, such
numbers, but rather a non-discriminatory approach between EU andas Virgin Atlantic and M&S.
non-EU citizens established. Everyone will probably be required to
Humphrys launched proceedings by asking the panel ‘Where will
apply for work visas on an even footing, but whether this is what the
we be in 2 ½ years?’
general public has in mind when they demand control ofimmigration from Brexit remains to be seen.
(This timeframe being significant as the 2 years after the triggering

Ruth Lea believes that a ‘hard’ Brexit, (out of the customs union andthe single market), will be completed by this point with regulatory
equivalence established for financial services and other industries.
Lea also predicts that the UK economy in 2019 will be the same as if
there had been no Brexit.
Rozenburg, however, was not convinced that there would not be
major delays brought about by the Supreme Court verdict (due inJanuary) on whether Ministers can go ahead with Brexit or if a voteby MPs is required (which should, however, be in line with theirconstituents’ views). Rozenburg’s belief is that the major sticking
point would be in the House of Lords where questions andclarifications could drastically slow the process of triggering Article
50 in the ‘Spring’ of 2017. Interestingly, a Member of the House of
10

Sir Paul described the situation as the biggest bureaucratic challenge
in peace time, with the UK hugely dependant on things like
Competition Law, as well as 140 EU institutions currently beingreferred to in domestic law.
Mr Straw saw a more pragmatic solution to the issue of laws. He
used the example of former British colonies that have continued touse a base of British law for their own laws. A more copy and paste
approach could save money and time he believes.
I admit that some of the debate on the legal basis of some laws andmention of Henry VIII clauses* was slightly over my head, but perhaps this just highlights the complexity of what the country is facing.

There was some sense of positivity, but the overall theme ofuncertainty for a number years was prevalent. Some of the UK’s
The third question posed to the panel was: ‘Trump presidency:
most important trade partners have already approached andGood or bad?’signalled their willingness to negotiate. One additional point to make
After the inevitable witticisms, the Trump presidency was certainly is that there was no questioning of the legitimacy of thenot seen as negative in terms of Brexit and in establishing areferendum from the panel. Everyone believed that the will of thepotential trade deal with the US. There was confidence that positive British public should be followed whether for better or worse.
relationships have already been forged between the Trump team
Glossary
and British diplomats.
European Economic area (EEA)- The European Economic Area is
Although the Trump presidency may not be worrying in this aspect,
the area in which the Agreement on the EEA provides for the free
the audience member from the House of Lords brought a more
movement of persons, goods, services and capital within the Eurosobering view that Trump’s views and policies go far beyond tradepean Single Market. The EEA was established on 1 January 1994
and business and that his views on Iran, torture, climate change andupon entry into force of the EEA Agreement.
NATO must not be forgotten. These, in his view, are the questions
Customs Union- The European Union Customs Union is a customs
that matter most about Trump.
union which consists of all the member states of the European UnIt was agreed that maintaining the intelligence relationship with theion, Monaco, and some territories of the United Kingdom which are
USA is of paramount importance for the future.
not part of the EU. Some territories within the EU do not participate
The panel members were also of the opinion that it may be easier to in the customs union, usually as a result of their geographic circummake trade deals with the US without the EU. TTIP (the proposed
stances. Besides the EUCU, the EU, through separate agreements, is
EU-USA trade deal) is probably already dead in the water.
in customs unions with Andorra, San Marino, and Turkey, with the
exceptions of certain goods
Humphrys’ then opened the floor to questions from the audience:*see glossary

Single Market- The Single Market refers to the EU as one territory
without any internal borders or other regulatory obstacles to thefree movement of goods and services. A functioning Single Market
Trilateral agreements between the UK, France and Germany are key
stimulates competition and trade, improves efficiency, raises qualiin this context. Within Europe, only the UK and France spend onty, and helps cut prices. The European Single Market is one of the
defence, and Germany makes armaments. Therefore, separate
EU’s greatest achievements. It has fuelled economic growth andagreements between these three countries will tackle transnational
made the everyday life of European businesses and consumers
events.
easier.

Hard Brexit looks certain. What about trans-national events?
Climate change, war in the Middle East, African migration etc.

It is important to note that due to the intelligence relationshipbetween the US and UK, other EU countries will not want to lose
this access through the UK.
What about transitional regulations?
We will probably end up with similar or identical regulations, butthere will be uncertainty for the next 2 years (or 18 months as
recent updates have indicated). The panel used aviation as an
example; if there is no agreement or extension within in the time
limit then treaties will cease to exist and planes will not be able tofly between the UK and US. This seems like a ‘scaremongering’
scenario, but in this case insurers would not insure the planes to
fly if no solution is found.
What about Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales?
As we are in a union, the decision of the British parliament is final.
The border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Irelandmust be kept open. It is not part of the Schengen zone so panellists
were of the opinion that an additional agreement can be made toresolve this issue.
My general impression of the opinions expressed by the expert
speakers was ‘this is what’s happening, so let’s make the best of it’.

European Parliament -The European Parliament is the directly
elected parliamentary institution of the European Union. Together
with the Council of the European Union and the European Commission, it exercises the legislative function of the EU. The Parliament iscomposed of 751 members, who represent the second largest democratic electorate in the world and the largest trans-national democratic electorate in the world.
European Commission -The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the EU treaties and managing the day-to-day business of the EU. Commissioners swear anoath at the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg, pledging torespect the treaties and to be completely independent in carryingout their duties during their mandate.
Henry VIII clauses-The Government sometimes adds this provision
to a Bill to enable the Government to repeal or amend it after it has
become an Act of Parliament. The provision enables primary legislation to be amended or repealed by subordinate legislation with orwithout further parliamentary scrutiny. Such provisions are known
as Henry VIII clauses, so named from the Statute of Proclamations
1539 which gave King Henry VIII power to legislate by proclamation.
11

UPDATE: “Great Repeal Bill”.
This is how the UK Government intends to convert EU law into British Law. However, not all EU environmental law can simply
be copied in this manner, including REACH.
The Environmental Audit Committee (“EAC”), of the House of Commons has launched an inquiry on the future of Chemicals Regulation
post-Brexit. It will focus on the future of REACH in the UK, and the impact of chemicals regulation on environmental protection, public
safety and the UK’s chemical industry. The future of REACH has huge implications for future trade with the EU.
The inquiry will consider the challenges to using the Great Repeal Bill to put REACH into UK law and the impact of Brexit negotiations, aswell as how to transfer administration and enforcement from the European Chemicals Agency (“ECHA”) to domestic bodies; the likely
implications for industry in terms of regulatory, environmental and safety standards; and whether the UK Government has the expertiseand resources to regulate REACH in the UK. It will also look at the scope for a UK chemicals regulation post-Brexit and its implications on
the environment, public safety and UK industry.
Submissions are requested by 20 January 2017 and should be made here http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/environmental-audit-committee/inquiries/parliament-2015/inquiry2/commons-writtensubmission-form/. Late submissions will be accepted by may be too late to inform the first oral evidence hearing.

METAL EVENTS’
REACH For The Metals Industry Forum
Radisson Blu Vanderbilt Hotel, London, UK
March 22 2017SPECIAL EARLY-BIRD RATE
Don’t miss out on the special early-bird rate – of just GBP300 per person plus VAT – book and pay for your place before January 18 2017
Book your place now by going online at metalevents.com or contact sales@metalevents.com
Metal Events is holding its REACH For The Metals Industry Forum in London on Wednesday 22 March 2017.
This one-day forum will tackle any last-minute questions you and your team may have as the deadline for REACH registration
approaches in June 2018. Are you prepared? What do you need to do? How have things changed since 2010?
If you think REACH registration is too onerous for your company then don’t miss out on this one-day seminar. It will provide you withinformation and tips on how to make sure your company is prepared.
The UK’s vote to leave the EU also has major implications for REACH. The forum will focus on how BREXIT will affect REACH.
The one-day interactive forum aims to tackle the following topics:












Are you ready for May 2018?
What is the REACH road-map for 2018 and are you on it?
What actions do you need to prepare by the deadline?
How does the 2018 deadline apply to your company and what are the implications?
How will BREXIT affect REACH in the UK? How will it affect your UK operations?
What are the options for sole/small traders? How can you obtain letters of access?
Orphan substances – how will this affect you? How do you get prepared?
How will REACH affect downstream end users?
What if raw materials disappear from the EU market? Do companies have replacements ready?
What do companies do if they want to start manufacturing/importing a substance in the EEA for the first time after May 2018?
Downstream users: who qualifies as a downstream user under REACH and what are their responsibilities and how REACH will affectthem?

The expert presenters will be able to answer these and any other questions you may have during the interactive panelsessions.

We look forward to seeing you in London in March 2017
12

MMTA Joins the Non-Ferrous Alliance
The MMTA is delighted to announce that we have recently joined
the Non-ferrous Alliance (NFA) as part of our goal to increase the
MMTA’s interconnectivity with relevant industry associations andnetworks. With its focus specifically on UK industry, the NFA has
an important role, and it is especially important since the UK’s
recent vote to leave the EU. Through our NFA membership, theMMTA will be able to be at the heart of discussions between the
UK Government and industry, not only for the benefit of UK
members, but also to ensure that members across Europe and inother parts of the world are aware of how changes in the UK may
impact their businesses.

industry body for the EU, NFA liaises with other UK industry tradebodies to establish common positions, where possible, in criticalnegotiations with DEFRA, Environment Agency, HSE and other
Government bodies. NFA has contacts with Surface Engineering
Association, Chemical Industry Association, Chemical Business
Association, British Metals Recycling Association, British Coatings
Federation and others on major issues.

IMPORT & EXPORT PROCEDURES COURSEDay Two:On ‘BREXIT’

The referendum decision of June 23rd 2016 taken up by the UK
Government for the UK to leave the EU will very obviously changeboth the internal and external influences on the regulatory and
These days companies are very focussed on keeping their business
commercial landscape. At this stage, it is impossible to predict
going on a commercially viable basis. Few have the free internal
accurately how these influences will affect industries in the UK.
manpower and skills resources to keep a finger on the pulse of
Government, through DEFRA and the other major agencies, areregulatory activity and to establish and maintain relationships withcurrently canvassing industry trade associations for input on
the many government agencies. It is essential for industry operators‘BREXIT’, in order to help guide the UK Government in developing its
to understand and comply with changes in the regulatory activity
negotiating strategy. NFA has already been involved in a number ofthat may affect their customers and hence the market.
relevant meetings and workshops. It is understood that though thefirst steps may be across the board adoption of EU origin legislation
Consultations
in a UK legislative base, there is a clear opportunity to subsequently
NFA regularly reviews consultations from DEFRA, Environment
develop a more risk based system of regulatory control without
Agency, HSE, DECC (Department of Energy & Climate Change) andcompromising human health and the environment. NFA is alreadyBIS (Business Industry & Skills) and generates responses to those
opening dialogue along these lines and working in conjunction with
consultations most relevant to the non-ferrous metals sector. Most
other trade associations.
recently, NFA contributed to the EU Non-Ferrous Metals BREF
NFA provides an effective focal point for the non-ferrous metals(Best Practice Reference Note and Best Available Technology).
industry interests in the UK to be represented in Government
Industry Trade Bodies
interfaces, and the MMTA is delighted to be part of the alliance at
In addition to liaising with Eurometaux, the non-ferrous metals
this critical time of change.

Methods of payment cont.
We are pleased to invite you and your colleagues to a two-day
Letters of Credit
import/export training course on operational issues andprocedures. We would ask you to forward this email to all others in This two-day training course is jointly organised by ISTA
your organisation with an interest in this area.
(International Steel Trade Association) and the MMTA and will takeplace on Thursday 16th March and Friday 17th March 2017 at theThis course will cover the following:
MMTA offices, Whitehall Court, London SW1A 2EL.

Day One:The Import Chain
Incoterms 2010
Customs Formalities, including anti-dumping and tariffs
Methods of Shipment
Cargo Insurance
Documentation
Methods of payment

Jon Walden MBE [Crown Agents] will again be the course
presenter. He will be making a reference to the possible
consequences of Brexit on matters covered by the course.
The cost of this 2-day course will be £395 (+ vat where applicable).
Lunch will be provided on both days.
To book this event, contact gina@mmta.co.uk or go to
www.mmta.co.uk/events13

Braving the Elements
By James Walsh, MMTA
As minor metals have been further commercialised and exploitedfor their properties, metals technology has been enhanced greatly.
High performance alloys, a general term for nickel-, cobalt-, iron-they need to withstand extremely high temperatures. Needless tosay, failure of such a part in an aircraft could be catastrophic. Thisturbine blade has two distinguishing material features.
Firstly, it is made of a superalloy, which has superior mechanicalstrength and creep resistance at high temperatures, good corrosion
and oxidation resistance compared to normal metals and alloys.

Secondly, it is formed out of a single metal crystal, a structure
and titanium- based alloys, are used for protection against the most which gives the blade outstanding strength at high temperatures.
extreme environments.

Materials development across many industries has mainly been a

Most bulk metals are not one big crystal: they are composed ofmany tiny crystallites called grains. The boundaries between theseresult of economics, companies seeking to increase profits through grains generally increase the strength of a metal, however at highmaking systems more efficient, pushing materials to greater limits temperatures they provide a way for the metal to deform over timeand designing them to withstand harsher environments, be thathigher temperatures, better resistance to corrosion or increasing
strength-to-weight ratios where fuel economies are important,such as in transport.
Take power producing systems as an example of this technologicalevolution, where the performance has always been limited by the(called creep).
Creating a turbine blade as a single crystal means it does not haveany grain boundaries, and it is therefore intrinsically stronger athigh temperatures than polycrystalline metals. It is this property
that has allowed turbine jet engines to be operated reliably at very

high temperatures which increases the efficiency and safety of theproperties of materials and their interactions with the environment. engine.
Since the early days of industrial steam generation in theseventeenth and eighteenth centuries the ever increasing need for

One minor metal added to these superalloys is rhenium, amounting

to around 6.0wt% in third generation single-crystal nickel based
power for new factories created a steady demand for larger boilers superalloys, leading to an improvement in the creep strength andand increasingly severe steam conditions.
fatigue resistance.
Materials selection was based on a limited knowledge of corrosion,
especially stress corrosion cracking (SCC) as the consequence ofNewer generations of single-crystal superalloys (4th, 5th and 6th)

have been developed which also contain ruthenium additions of up
chloride and oxygen contamination of the water used in boilers, and to 5.0wt%. The addition of Ru has been one of the main subjects ofcatastrophic failures of equipment occurred frequently.

focus to enhance temperature capability and contribute to the

As late as the end of the nineteenth century, hundreds of steam

development of new generations of single-crystal superalloys,

plant explosions accompanied by large numbers of casualties werebeing recorded every year in Europe and North America. The
causes were generally linked to the failure of riveted joints orpoorly worked steel plate. The major consequence of these failures
led to the development of codes and standards for pressure
retaining components. Today the risk of catastrophic failure for any
industry is low and can be attributed to the strict adherence tostandards imposed on component designers and manufacturers.
Here, I have selected just a handful of applications to illustrate how
minor metals have furthered technology development.
Single Crystal Turbine Blades
The aerospace industry has existed for less than 100 years, but its
development and growth has been generated by innovative
companies and clever academics being able to push materials tohigher limits allowing engines to run hotter, fly higher and stay inthe air for longer.
Jet engine turbine blades need to be extremely durable towithstand the punishment they receive during operation of theengine. Along with the massive mechanical loads they experience,14

however, 4th and 5th gen superalloys with higher contents ofrefractories, such as Mo, Re and Ru are likely to have lower
resistance against oxidation than previous generations.

In the last few years, a new wave of superalloys have addressed thisissue and include TMS-238, a 6th gen superalloy, which exhibits both
high-temperature creep strength and improved oxidation
resistance.
Nuclear Reactors
For materials used in the core of a nuclear reactor, it is importantthat they have specific properties such as low neutron absorption
and high resistance to radiation-induced creep and the associatedloss of ductility so that reactors can operate for the decades
expected by operators.
Nuclear materials must be selected or specified based upon theirstrength and interactions with the environment, including theeffects of radiation, all of which are dependent upon the metallurgy Sub-sea (oil and gas)of the material.

Corrosion Resistant Alloys are essential for providing long term

Zirconium is the eleventh most abundant element in the earth’s

resistance to corrosion for many components exposed to oil and gas

crust making it more prevalent than the common transition metals
copper, lead, nickel and zinc. It occurs naturally as the minerals

production environments. Components include downhole tubing
and safety critical elements, pipelines and piping, heat exchangers

zircon (zirconium silicate – ZrSiO4) and zirconia (zirconium oxide –and many other pieces of equipment in facilities.

ZrO2) and usually contains about 0.5 – 2.5% hafnium (Hf), a metal

There are many CRAs to select from, and they can be characterisedthat has very similar chemical and physical properties making itby their resistance to specific environments. Key environmental
parameters influencing the corrosion properties of CRAs are:temperature; chloride ion concentration; environment pH and H2S.
Between them these parameters influence: the stability of passive
film (initiation of pitting or general corrosion); ease of repassivationof initiated pits; rates of dissolution of metal from pits; the risk ofStress Corrosion Cracking (SCC) initiating and propagating.
The selection of Corrosion Resistant Alloys, CRAs, for producing andtransporting corrosive oil and gas can be a complex procedure andif improperly undertaken can lead to mistakes in application andmisunderstanding about the performance of a CRA in a specificservice environment. There are international standards such as ISO

difficult to separate the two elements.
Zirconium or more specifically, the alloys fabricated from it are

15156 and NACE (National Association of Corrosion Engineers) 0175
used for materials selection in corrosive environments.

some of the most important of the nuclear reactor materials. They

A variety of steel and nickel based alloys exist to cater for theare resistant to corrosion in many process environments, nuclear

different combination of environments with Cr and Mo the major

heat transport systems in particular, and they have excellent

constituents ranging from 10-30 wt% for Cr and 1-16 wt% for Mo.

nuclear properties making them the predominant materials for

Other minor metals added in smaller quantities include Mn, Ti, Nb

construction of in-core components, for example, fuel rods andand W.

pressure tubes.

A common nickel based alloy, C-276 developed by Haynes has had

Zirconium itself has a neutron absorption cross-section of 0.18

over 50 years of proven performance in a wide range of aggressive

barns, making it nearly transparent to the thermal neutrons in achemicals. It was also the first wrought, nickel-chromium-water-cooled and -moderated reactor. Zirconium alloys used inmolybdenum material to alleviate concerns over welding – by virtue

nuclear reactors must be highly processed to keep the hafniumof very low silicon and carbon additions.

concentration below 100 ppm since the neutron absorption crosssection of hafnium is 102 barns, nearly 600 times that of zirconium.
The pure metal is alloyed with small amounts of elements such astin, chromium, iron, nickel and niobium to improve mechanicalSources: https://www.theengineer.co.uk/issues/june-2015-online/jewelin-the-crown-rolls-royces-single-crystal-turbine-blade-casting-foundry/
http://www.nuceng.ca/candu/pdf/14%20-%20Nuclear%20Plant%
20Materials%20and%20Corrosion.pdf

strength, corrosion resistance and to reduce hydrogen pickup.
15

16