According to Donald G. White, executive director of the Metal Powder Industries Federation (MPIF), first quarter 2002 shipments of metal powders point to a steady rise in production. For example, iron powder shipments for the first four months of 2002 increased 13% to 145,533 short tons. Copper-base powder shipments increased 5.4% to 7,290 short tons. According to the Industry Vision and Technology Roadmap, developed last year through a partnership between MPIF and the Office of Industrial Technologies (OIT) of the U.S. Dept. of Energy, it is estimated that by 2020, the P/M and particulate materials industry will be the preferred source of netshape metal-based systems. Market growth goals include achieving a 12% annual growth in the automotive market through 2020, in addition to a 25% annual growth in non-automotive markets. To achieve this goal, MPIF has formed a roadmap strategy board.