$1.6 MILLION OF FUNDING FOR POWDERS

4 January 2010

MAGNESIUM ELEKTRON AWARDED $1.6 million of FEDERAL FUNDING

January 2010

MANCHESTER, NJ, USA - Magnesium Elektron Powders' Hart Metals plant has received $1.6 million in Federal Funding to develop new high-performance magnesium alloy powders for the Defense Department. The funding was secured by US Congressman Tim Holden and US Senator Bob Casey with the help of Congressman John Murtha. Magnesium Elektron Powders will work closely with the US Army Research Laboratory, Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland on this project.  

Congressman Holden visited Hart Metals in Tamaqua, PA in late December to present the good news to the plant employees. Holden stated that, �In the future, new lightweight materials, such as magnesium, will replace the much heavier materials currently utilised in military vehicles. Lighter vehicles will result in improved fuel efficiencies and will allow our nation to reduce its dependence on foreign oil. This funding will help stimulate the local economy and help create high-tech manufacturing jobs in the Tamaqua area�.  

During a recent visit to Tamaqua, Dr. Ernie Chin, Chief of Materials & Manufacturing Technology Branch, Army Research Laboratory, said that �You should be proud of your history and should promote the fact that you serve the US DoD with magnesium powders based on US technology, US raw materials, and US production.� Dr. Kyu Cho, Program Manager, Army Research Laboratory, commented that �The Army would like to see these funds used to create jobs in America and to stimulate the American economy.�

The photograph shows Congressman Holden presenting a symbolic cheque to employees of Magnesium Elektron Powders.