MMTA

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• History and Change

Minor Metals Behind a Modern World

The Minor Metals Trade Association (MMTA) was founded in 1973 in a period when so-called 'byproduct' metals were just starting to be used in growing mass applications. From just seven elements covered at the outset - antimony, magnesium, nickel (not then traded on the LME and still regarded as a minor metal), cadmium, bismuth, selenium and mercury, the scope of minor metals trade activity today has increased dramatically.

Industries that have led the application of minor metals - and thus also the trade in them - include super-alloys, master-alloys, optics, opto-electronics, catalysts, electronic pastes and a host of technological applications that we have come to identify with the modern world.

In those early days it was necessary to establish clear trading rules and these were developed incorporating the Uniform Law for International Sales (1980) under the United Nations Convention. The rules that now govern the trade in minor metals may be viewed by visiting the "Trade Regulations" section of this website.

The MMTA is the world's largest association involved with Minor Metals. From just 19 founding members, the MMTA is now comprised of circa 150 companies from 24 countries, engaged in all aspects of minor metals activity, the Association having long since broadend its original member base of trading companies. These metals are as diverse as zirconium, hafnium, strontium and rhenium - as well as all the traditional by-product metals such as molybdenum, tungsten or indium.

Being a member of the MMTA means that you are part of a group of like-minded consumers, producers, traders and service companies, who all share an interest in the minor metals industry in all its forms. The MMTA works together with and on behalf of its members, addressing issues that affect our industry using the collective depth of its membership to inform on such issues as legislation. In Europe, metals have been swept into the EU Chemical Directive (REACH), which is perhaps the largest challenge to face the MMTA and its members.

One of the functions of the Main Committee of the MMTA, made up of representatives from member companies, is to monitor and advise on issues that may affect the membership. 

For more information about MMTA, or how to join, please contact us.