Refractory experts converged in Hamburg for the 2024 PRE Congress

The 2024 PRE Congress took place in Hamburg, Germany, from June 19 to 21, 2024. The German Refractory Association (DFFI) kindly hosted it, and Refratechnik, RHI Magnesita, and Europe Commerce sponsored it.

More than 100 PRE members, executives from the refractory industry, and national associations from all over Europe gathered in person to discuss relevant topics and key updates on the refractory industry at the European level.

PRE, the European Refractories Producers Federation, is the representative organisation of the European refractory industry located in Brussels.

The Congress opened on June 19 with the PRE-Executive Committee meeting, which discussed administrative matters, priorities, and challenges in the upcoming period and mid- and long-term objectives.

The second day of the Congress, June 20, was initiated with an engaging session of the PRE-Economic Committee. Here, PRE-Members actively participated in a session where both internally and externally gathered data on refractories was presented and discussed.

The meeting was followed by the “The Talent Challenge” Conference.

Simon Schnetzer, Youth Researcher, Speaker, and futurist, shared his expertise and insight on recruiting and retaining the next generation of talents for the refractories industry. GenZ representatives also discussed how to make the industry more attractive to the next generation: visibility, carbon challenge, new work culture, and social media.

Helena Marschall from Fridays for Future Germany underlined that instead of just pointing out the climate crisis, citizens, businesses, and authorities have the power to act and make change like never before. 

On June 21, the PRE-General Assembly concluded the Congress.

During the keynote speech of Christian Meyre, PRE President, the audience had the opportunity to share their input by responding to key Polls regarding their own experience as part of the Refractories sector.

Renaud Batier, Director General of Cerame-Unie, presented the outcome of the European elections, the Ceramic Manifesto 24-29 communication campaign, and the foreseen post-election activities.

Ansgar Jüchter, keynote speaker and head of a steel plant, shared ArcelorMittal Hamburg GmbH's decarbonisation pathway and its essential connection to the Refractories sector.

The key outcomes of the Workshops were presented and discussed. The PRE team shared the key actions they are undertaking on European policies. The topics included energy and climate, chemical issues, environment, raw materials, circular economy, sustainability, and Research and innovation.