International Platinum Group Metals Association celebrates 20th anniversary

The metals industry worldwide is strengthening ties to better address critical issues such as sustainable development and environmental protection.

“We need to explore synergies between the different associations, and create a global network for information flow,” says the incoming president of the International Platinum Group Metals Association (IPA), Dr. Roland Gerner. He takes over the reins from Ian Farmer, executive director of Lonmin Plc., who has served as president of the IPA for the past two years. Other South African IPA members are Anglo Platinum, Impala Platinum and Northam Platinum.

“Through close cooperation we can create a worldwide network of metal industry producers and fabricators, all grappling with similar issues and working effectively together,” says Gerner.

A good example is the existing relationship between the IPA and the European Precious Metals Federation (EPMF).

“The IPA works very successfully with such organisations to monitor the challenges and consequences of REACH, the EU regulation governing the registration, evaluation and authorisation of chemicals,” he says. “This new law will impact considerably on companies wishing to market chemicals to the EU.”

Dr Gerner, managing director of W. C. Heraeus GmbH, a German company that processes precious metals for a wide variety of industries, takes up his new role as IPA president when the association celebrates its 20th anniversary in November 2007. The IPA represents the major companies in the global platinum group metals (PGM) industry. The six PGMs are platinum, palladium, iridium, rhodium, ruthenium and osmium, all vital components in many modern day goods and applications.

“Apart from platinum, many people will never have heard of PGMs before,” says Gerner. “They are, however, crucial to our daily lives and are found in everything from fountain pens to aircraft turbines, anti-cancer drugs to mobile phones and vehicle emission controls. They are also critical to future choices in several fields including power generation, transportation and healthcare.

“Platinum market fundamentals have changed significantly over the past few decades and the metal is now used as a vital component in diesel catalysts,” says Gerner. “With growing global pressure to reduce carbon dioxide emissions through fuel economies, diesel-powered cars and light vehicles are gaining favour with consumers in Europe, and this should soon spread to the US and Japan. The catalytic converters in these vehicles use platinum in their technology. The metal is also used in the retrofitting of soot filters to diesel-powered vehicles to help eliminate the pollutants coming from diesel usage.”

Dr Gerner brings a wealth of experience to the role, having worked in the PGM industry for 23 years. He has served as an IPA Board member since 2006.

“Dr Gerner has been a valuable member of the IPA Board for the past two years, and I am delighted he has accepted this new challenge,” says outgoing IPA president, Ian Farmer.
“I have no doubt he will bring both vigour and discipline to the role.”

As well as forging closer relationships with other global metals associations, Dr Gerner sees his role as providing guidance and direction to the industry, as well as mediation where necessary, and communicating effectively with members and external stakeholders.

The IPA provides a platform to address issues of common concern and to jointly engage with stakeholders at the international level.

Its objectives are to:

• generate and promote factual information on PGMs;
• represent the common interests of PGM mining, production and fabrication companies worldwide;
• encourage and assist continuous progress in the healthy, safe and environmentally sound production and processing of PGMs;
• define and communicate the industry’s views on issues related to PGM production, use, and recycling;
• liaise with other institutions of interest to the association and its members; and
• monitor trends and developments, identify opportunities and risks.

To achieve these goals, Dr Gerner intends drawing on members’ resources and expertise, as opposed to external consultants, wherever possible.

END

About IPA

The International Platinum Group Metals Association (IPA) represents the major companies in the global platinum group metals (PGMs) industry. The six PGMs are platinum, palladium, iridium, rhodium, ruthenium and osmium, all vital materials in many modern day goods and applications.

The IPA was founded in 1987 and is based in Munich. The association acts as a platform for discussion and information exchange between members and with the outside world. The IPA also monitors areas of interest to the PGM industry such as emission control legislation, environment, health & safety, sustainable development, trade and communications.

Editorial Contacts
Tania Bossi, Communications Manager
International Platinum Group Metals Association
Tel: +49-89-51 99 67 30
Fax: +49-89-51 99 67 19
Mobile: +49-174-2108795
Email: tania.bossi@ipa-news.com

Janine Botes
Dynamo Africa Marketing Services
Tel.: 011 253-5600
Email: Janine.botes@dynamoafrica.com