Light metals are metals that have a low specific gravity of 5 or less. Magnesium, aluminum, and titanium are known as the three major light metal materials and are considered to have great potential as lightweight structural materials. Until now, there has been no research institute in Japan that has conducted comprehensive research into light metal materials.

There has however been an urgent need for a research and education center for comprehensive development of light metal materials that promotes research into magnesium, aluminum, and titanium individually as well as integrated research into these metals for developing multi-materials, and also promotes R&D for practical social applications and training people in the manufacture of light metal products.

For this reason, the Institute of Light Metals (ILM) was jointly established by the Magnesium Research Center of Kumamoto University and the Aluminium Research Center of the University of Toyama to comprehensively develop magnesium, aluminum, and titanium, taking into account the features of industries located in Kumamoto and Toyama prefectures.

Our aim is to establish a world-class international light metal research and education center that is the first of its kind in Japan and is equipped with a streamlined research structure that ranges from the development of materials to practical social applications. This institute is dedicated to bolstering magnesium and aluminum research through the exploration of complementary areas, fostering titanium research, promoting integrated magnesium, aluminum, and titanium research, training highly skilled workers in manufacturing, and contributing to the development of science, technology, and industry in Japan.