ANFRE is pleased to announce the official programme of the XIII European Congress on Refractory Raw Materials, Machinery and Installation, which will take place in Valencia on 21–22 October 2026.
The Congress will bring together companies, associations and professionals from the refractory industry for a programme combining technical presentations, market insights, networking opportunities and a round table focused on raw materials.
Official Programme
Wednesday, 21 October
19.00 – 19.30 | Registration and badge collection
20.30 – 23.00 | Welcome cocktail and dinner at Contrapunto Restaurant
Thursday, 22 October
8.30 – 9.00 | Registration and badge collection
9.00 – 9.15 | Opening of the Congress
Welcome address by the President
9.15 – 10.00 | Project Blue
“Developments in Refractory raw material supply chains”
Speaker: Alison Saxby
10.00 – 10.30 | Elkem
“Alternative binder solutions for medium-temperature applications, based on a microsilica gel-bonded castable”
Speaker: Ingrid Mikanovic
10.30 – 11.00 | Imerys
“Development of a novel powder-based binder range for the formulation of high-performance No-Cement Castables: SECAR® Dry series”
Speaker: Florian Ahouanto
11.00 – 11.30 | Coffee break
11.30 – 12.00 | PRE
“Refractory supply chains in a shifting geoeconomic landscape”
Speaker: Omid Majidi Ali
12.00 – 12.30 | Nabaltec
“The impact of difference reactive aluminas on properties of Refractory castables”
Speakers: Christian Dünzer and Max Schwinger
12.30 – 13.00 | Budenheim
“From chemistry to performance: How Budenheim innovations create value in plastic Refractories”
Speaker: Hermann Kasper-Dengel
13.00 – 14.30 | Lunch
14.30 – 15.00 | Almatis
“New dispering alumina for robust silica fume containing castables”
Speaker: Stefan Kuiper
15.00 – 15.45 | Unesid
“Steel market Outlook. Key regulatory developments”
Speaker: Alfonso Hidalgo
15.45 – 16.30 | Oficemen
“The descarboization of Spanish cement industry”
Speaker: Ricardo López
16.30 – 18.00 | Raw Materials Rond table. Closing of the Congress
18.00 – 19.00 | Farewell reception
The XIII European Congress on Refractory Raw Materials, Machinery and Installation will provide an important meeting point for the refractory industry, bringing together experts and professionals to discuss the latest developments, challenges and opportunities affecting the sector.
The Congress programme on 22 October will run from 8.30 to 19.00, concluding with the Farewell reception from 18.00 to 19.00.
Further information about the Congress:
XIII European Congress on Refractory Raw Materials, Machinery and Installation – Valencia 2026
