Topic Number One

There is one issue dominating the ceramics industry right now: sustainability. In the current situation, the sustainable use of available resources is more important than ever. On the other hand, energy availability and rising energy prices bring new challenges. The refractories industry is in the middle of these substantial changes, as it supplies energy-intensive industries such as steel manufacturers, cement plants, the chemical industry or waste incineration plants with the crucial materials. These now have to be adapted to new circumstances such as alternative fuels. The program of this year's Freiberg Refractory Materials Symposium examined the issue from various angles and provided suggestions for minimizing the carbon footprint. At the International Colloquium on Refractories 2022 in Aachen, keynotes will also revolve around the future of the refractories industry and its transformation towards CO₂ neutrality, as well as changes in energy supply and their significance for the steel industry. …