Las Vegas, Nevada  -(MetalsNews, July 06, 2009) - In the annual State of the North American PM Industry presentation at PowderMet2009 in Las Vegas, MPIF President Mark C. Paullin reported that North American iron powder shipments declined 19 percent in 2008 to 327,272 short tons. Total metal powder shipments declined 18.4 percent to 415,427 short tons.

“We can view the current state of the PM industry through short-term fear-tinted glasses or as long-range opportunities,” he said. Just like U.S. manufacturing in general, the PM industry has been impacted negatively by the current U.S. recession, sinking real estate prices, the banking crisis, plunging automotive production, and high unemployment (9.4 percent nationally in May, over 15 percent in St. Marys). These economic events, unprecedented in modern times, are testing the consumer public and corporations alike.

“However, we should never forget that the PM industry was built during difficult times. Many of the early pioneers and entrepreneurs got their start during the Great Depression. Their spirit of innovation, hard work, and grit overcame mountains of obstacles in the years that followed. That same spirit is still alive today, and will hopefully sustain the industry during these current difficult times.”

Paullin believes that the PM industry will regain its footing as light-vehicle production returns to more normal levels in the next five years. Citing CSM Worldwide’s auto production forecast, he reported that the potential global PM parts usage in 2015 could reach an estimated range of 590,000 to 900,000 short tons. Potential new applications exist in advanced transmissions, smaller engines with turbochargers, diesel engines, and hybrid vehicles.

The entire text of Paullin’s report will be published in the July/August issue of the International Journal of Powder Metallurgy.