Nickel REACH Consortia Launched

Nickel Magazine, March 2007 -- On January 23, 2007, the nickel industry launched three consortia to assist companies implement the European Union's new chemicals policy, Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals (REACH).

An event was held in Brussels to mark the occasion and new web site, www.nickelconsortia.org, was launched. Forty people representing nickel producing companies, importers and downstream users attended. This proactive, voluntary initiative was sponsored by the Nickel Institute. The launch event was also attended by representatives of stainless steel producing companies, chromium-nickel platers, nickel battery manufacturers, and other metals associations.

"All nickel-related companies doing business in the EU need to take steps immediately to implement REACH," says Hugo Waeterschoot, Secretary-General of the European Nickel Industry Association (ENIA), a division of the Nickel Institute.

The nickel consortia have been structured to ensure there is effective co-operation throughout the nickel supply chain, Waeterschoot says. A consortium was formed for the following three types of nickel substances: nickel risk assessment substances (nickel metal, nickel chloride, nickel carbonate, nickel sulphate and nickel nitrate), nickel inorganic compounds (such as nickel oxide), and complex materials (such as ferronickel and nickel matte).

Starting the process early creates several advantages for nickel producers, importers and users.

"Good supply chain communications are critical to achieving success," says Elina Karhu, DG Enterprise. The current EU Risk Assessment of nickel and nickel compounds will form the basis for the implementation of REACH.

Dmitry Ryshkov, senior market analyst for Norilsk Nickel Europe, reminded the audience at the launch event of the contribution nickel makes to society, especially in the areas of health and environmental protection. "The nickel industry intends to implement REACH in a timely and responsible manner," he asserted.

The launch day presentations and additional information about the nickel consortia, including timetables, functions of the consortia and how to join them, can be found at www.nickelconsortia.org

Copper-Nickel Alloy Training Available

Nickel Magazine, March 2007 -- The Copper Development Association (CDA) has launched an online training module that introduces the many benefits of copper-nickel alloys to offshore, marine and naval engineers and designers as well as fabricators and educators.

The module, which consists of 74 slides (including photos, diagrams and tables), was developed by the Copper-Nickel Tube and Pipe Steering Committee of the CDA. It is accompanied by an audio file, and takes about 20 minutes to view in its entirety. A print option is available.

Topics presented include: mechanical and physical properties, fabrication, corrosion resistance, bio-fouling resistance, alloy selection, de-salination applications, boat hull applications, and ship cooling and fire suppression system applications.

This introductory module can be viewed at: www.copper.org/applications/cuni/visual_overview/index.html

<< Previous   --   Next >>