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56 SMT Magazine • December 2015 move toward HFR-free by demonstrating that the key electrical and thermo-mechanical prop- erties of the new HFR-free laminates could meet required criteria—even for high-reliability ap- plications—and by providing the data needed to understand which materials were good for which applications. The team's testing found that, in many cas- es, HFR-free laminates out-performed their ha- logenated counterparts. The data demonstrated that HFR-free laminates were available and well suited for today's higher-reliability products/ap- plications. Furthermore, working closely with suppliers over the span of several projects, iN- EMI was able to help them not only improve their material sets but also increase the avail- ability of these materials. Las Marias: What types of committees/teams are currently active? Bader: Work on the 2017 iNEMI Roadmap is currently underway, and there are 26 active groups: six Product Emulator Groups (PEGs), which look at product sectors, and 20 Technol- ogy Working Groups (TWGs) that assess tech- nology areas. Unlike other industry roadmaps, the iNEMI roadmap covers the complete elec- tronics manufacturing supply chain. Also, iNEMI currently has active projects in the areas of board assembly, environmentally sustainable electronics, medical electronics, MEMS technology, optoelectronics, organic PCB, packaging, test and automotive electronics. Las Marias: how do you cooperate with other as- sociations? Bader: We work closely with 10–15 associations and consortia on development of the road- map (it varies by year). We also have in-kind memberships with another 10 associations and consortia. We track the activities of these other organizations, and keep them informed of ours. In recent years, we have co-sponsored events with organizations such as SMTA (Sur- face Mount Technology Association), IEEE (In- stitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers), MEPTEC (Microelectronics Packaging and Test Engineering Council), and TPCA (Taiwan Print- ed Circuit Association). Whenever any of our projects develop guidelines or specifications that have the poten- tial to become the basis for industry standards, we work closely with the appropriate standards bodies to "hand off" our findings and, in some cases, the iNEMI project chair has gone on to chair the standards committee. Las Marias: how does inemi assist members in dealing with government agencies? Bader: We are not a lobbying organization, thus we do little direct dealings with government. On the other hand, our work in fields such as sustainability is well-known by key government bodies around the world and we do interface with them to keep them informed of the key work of our membership and significant direc- tional issues where alignment of government and industry is beneficial. Las Marias: Why should someone join your asso- ciation? Bader: iNEMI offers companies the opportunity to get involved on some of the tough issues the in- dustry faces and deliver meaningful results. They can work with other companies from throughout the supply chain that are facing the same prob- lems and leverage their resources to collaborative- ly tackle the challenges that no one company can solve on its own. The strength of iNEMI is our leading industry membership and being a part of this unique community provides members with learning opportunities that can have great impact on the corporate bottom line. SmT " The team's testing found that, in many cases, HFr-free laminates out-performed their halogenated counterparts. " FeATure inTerview InemI: LeADInG THe WAy To SUcceSSFUL eLecTronIcS mAnUFAcTUrInG