PROGRAM
Your Guide to UNITECR 2025
Discover the sessions, speakers, and events that make UNITECR 2025 the leading global forum for refractories and materials.
UNITECR 2025 Program
This is a provisional program and may be modified without prior notice.
Main Hall
Main Hall
18:00
19:00
20:00
21:00
22:00
Welcome Event
18:00 - 22:00
Room 1
Room 1
Room 2
Room 3
Room 4
Room 5
08:00
09:00
10:00
11:00
12:00
13:00
14:00
15:00
16:00
17:00
18:00
Reducing the Carbon Footprint of Calcinate Alumina for the Refractory Industry
10:30 - 10:50
Thermomechanical Properties Optimization of Alumina-based Refractory Castables for Enhanced Sustainability
10:50 - 11:10
Effect of Microporous Corundum Aggregates on Thermal Shock Resistance of Corundum Spinel Castables for Setting Block
11:10 - 11:30
Optimizing Particle Size Distribution of Reactive Alumina for Enhanced Performance in Low Cement Castables
11:30 - 11:50
Mullite-based Raw Materials for Refractories and Foundry Applications with Extraordinary Low Carbon Footprint
12:20 - 12:40
Advancements in High-Performance Brazilian Bauxite: Enhancing Refractory Applications and Diversifying Global Supply Chains
12:40 - 13:00
Technical Assessment of Refractory Clays from Different Deposits for Chamotte Production
13:00 - 13:20
Investment Casting Ceramic Shell Permeability Evolution Study as a Function of Temperature
14:40 - 15:00
Optimization of Sintering Temperature of High Chrome-Alumina Breaks by Adding Different Oxides – A Fired Refractory for Coal Gasification Reactor Application
15:00 - 15:20
Evaluation of Different Refractory Materials for Thermal Recycling of Spent Lithium-ion Batteries
15:20 - 15:40
Anodes Based on MgO-C Recyclates and 316L Steel for Prospective Aluminum Fused-Salt Electrolysis Application
16:20 - 16:40
Performance Improvement of Direct Bonded Magnesia Chrome Refractory for Ausmelt Furnace
16:40 - 17:00
Chromium-free Mg2TiO4 Refractory Aggregate for Copper Industry: Corrosion and Wettability by Slags with Different Iron/Silica Ratios
17:00 - 17:20
Fused Silica Castables for Alumina Calciners for Volume Stability and Energy Efficiency
17:20 - 17:40
A Critical Mineral? Magnesia Supply Trends & Developments for the Refractories Market
10:30 - 10:50
Silanized Colloidal Silica as an Anti-Hydroxylation Binder for Pressed MgO Structures
10:50 - 11:10
The Alternative Refractory Magnesia Sources in the Context of Decarbonization
11:10 - 11:30
Development of Novel High-Grade and High-Density Dead Burned Magnesia
11:30 - 11:50
Enhancing Recycled Refractory Quality by Lining Design and Steelmaking Practice
12:20 - 12:40
Recyclability Evaluation Through Empirical and Environmental Criteria Based on Multi-Criteria Decision-Analysis Applied to Tundish Working Lining Refractories
12:40 - 13:00
A Development of the Desulfurization Ladle Flux Used by Recycled Al2O3 Refractories and Recycled Concrete Paste
13:00 - 13:20
Toward Tailored Refractory Raw Materials: Insights from Searching Eco-Friendlier Alternatives to the Magnesia-Chromium Aggregates
14:40 - 15:00
Life Cycle Assessment of Refractory Materials: Using Environmental Data to Enhance Production Routes and Product Design for Sustainability
15:00 - 15:20
Characterization and Effective Utilization of Recycled Basic Raw Material
15:20 - 15:40
Washing Techniques for Recycling Stabilization: Overview, Insights and Outlook
16:20 - 16:40
Stabilization of MgO-C Bricks by Autoclave Processing at RHI Magnesita MVA Plant
16:40 - 17:00
Recycling MgO-C Bricks: Challenges of Al4C3 Formation and Insights for Antioxidant Optimization
17:00 - 17:20
Assessment of Refractory Erosion Resistance by a Finger Test Evaluated with Two Different Moving Boundary Models
10:30 - 10:50
Discrete Element Method: A Numerical Approach to Deepen the Understanding of the Interaction between Microcracks and Pores within Refractory Microstructures
10:50 - 11:10
What is the Best Method to Dry Refractory Castables? A Numerical Study on the Effect of Thermomechanical Stresses on the Explosive Spalling
11:10 - 11:30
Enhanced Image Segmentation of Refractories Using Synchrotron X-Ray Computed Tomography and Machine Learning Techniques
11:30 - 11:50
Real Time Thermal Monitoring of Refractory Lined Steelmaking Assets Using Wireless Technology: An Industrial Study
12:20 - 12:40
Investigation of the Refractory Shear Stress and the Influence of Multiphase Flow Behaviour in Steel Teeming Ladles by Means of Computational Fluid Dynamics
12:40 - 13:00
Multi-parameter Optimization of a Steel Ladle Lining – Thermomechanical Behaviour Using Finite Element Simulation
13:00 - 13:20
A Holistic Approach to Enhance RH Snorkel Performance Based on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Study: Identification & Strengthening the Critical Area by Improvement in Material
14:40 - 15:00
Refractory Wear During Argon Purging in Steel Ladles: A Machine Learning Approach to Analyzing Plume Behavior
15:00 - 15:20
The Value of Modeling for Raw Material Development
15:20 - 15:40
Designing More Efficient Refractories Using Smart Particle Packing Techniques
16:20 - 16:40
Can a Polymeric Fiber Crack a Refractory Castable? On the Role of Microcracking in Permeability Enhancement of Castables with Drying Additives
16:40 - 17:00
Estimating Reheating Time for Steelmaking Ladles Using Optimization-based Machine Learning Approach Integrated with a Physical Thermal Model
17:00 - 17:20
The Selection of Optimal Refractories for the Central Burning Zone of the Cement Rotary Kilns – The Application of Uniform Manifold Approximation and Projection (UMAP) Technique
17:20 - 17:40
Optimization of Al2O3-MgO-TiO2 Castables for Enhanced Flexibility: The Toughening Effect of Titania Addition
10:30 - 10:50
Phase Transition Heat Storage and Self-Healing Mechanism of Calcium Magnesium Aluminate (CMA) Composite Aggregates in Corundum Castable
10:50 - 11:10
Low-Cement SiC Refractory Castable: Properties as a Function of Temperature, Gas Environment, Alkali Action
11:10 - 11:30
Influence of Zirconia Grain Size on Thermomechanical Properties of Free-Flowing Castables for Hot Blast Tuyere Applications
11:30 - 11:50
A New and Innovative Way of Improving the Performance of Dry-Gunning Materials Through Use of a Unique Microsilica Slurry
12:20 - 12:40
Blast Furnace Hearth Repair – An Advanced Technique for Enhancing Blast Furnace Life Without Capital Repair
12:40 - 13:00
Gunning Robots for the Hot Repair of EAF, Ladle, and RH Snorkel
13:00 - 13:20
Drying Behavior of Colloidal Silica-Bonded High-Alumina Refractory Castables
14:40 - 15:00
Drying Redefined: Investigation of key Factors for Superior Performance of Dryless Refractory Castables
15:00 - 15:20
Influence of Polymeric Fiber Addition and Sample Size on Thermal Gradients, Permeability, and Mechanical Properties during the Dry-out of Low Cement Castables
15:20 - 15:40
Numerical Modeling of Pressure Build-up in Castable Specimens During Laboratory-Scale Explosive Spalling Tests
16:20 - 16:40
Enhancing the Application of Refractory Castables by Bridging Laboratory and Industrial Realties
16:40 - 17:00
New Technology for the Production of Hearth and Skid Blocks for Reheating Furnace Applications
17:00 - 17:20
Introduction of Plastic Refractory in Re-heating Furnaces Lateral Wall with Intentions of Refractory Life Enhancement and Reduction of Fuel Consumptions Contributing to Reduced CO2
17:20 - 17:40
A New Design of MgO-C for BOF Unveiling the Potential of Nanographite for Ultra Low Carbon Bricks
10:30 - 10:50
Enhancing Thermomechanical Properties of MgO-C Bricks Through Metallic Additive Integration
10:50 - 11:10
Thermo-mechanical Characterization of Commercial MgO-C Refractory Bricks Based on Recyclate
11:10 - 11:30
Improvement of MgO-C Bricks Suitable for Slag Coating in Coverters
11:30 - 11:50
Effect of the Use of Hydrogen on Refractories Installed in Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) Processes and the Associated Carbon Impact
12:20 - 12:40
Hydrogen Resistance of Synthetic Alumina Based Castables at 1150ºC and 1400ºC
12:40 - 13:00
Effect of Hydrogen as Fuel on Refractory Linings
13:00 - 13:20
Impact of Refractory Composition on the Yield of Reduction by Hydrogen
14:40 - 15:00
Kinetics and Mechanism of the Reduction of Refractory Oxides by Hydrogen: Insights for Hydrogen-based direct Redution Processes
15:00 - 15:20
Hydrogen Flow Test Results of Refractory Raw Materials
15:20 - 15:40
Young's Modulus Analysis of Phosphate-Bonded High-Alumina Refractory Exposed to Hydrogen
16:20 - 16:40
Refractory Contribution to Digital Twins for Green Hydrogen Transition in Steel Industry
16:40 - 17:00
Corrosion Mechanism Between Industrial Linings with Copper in Prospective of Future H2 Technologies
17:00 - 17:20
Opening Event
08:20 - 08:40
Impacts of Computer Simulation and AI on Refractories
Dr. Yakup Bayram
08:40 - 09:20
Refractory Usage Trends in a Constantly Changing Marketplace
Mr. Tom Vert
09:20 - 10:00
COFFE BREAK
10:00 - 10:30
COFFE BREAK
11:50 - 12:20
LUNCH
13:20 - 14:40
COFFE BREAK
15:40 - 16:20
Room 1
Room 1
Room 2
Room 3
Room 4
08:00
09:00
10:00
11:00
12:00
13:00
14:00
15:00
16:00
17:00
18:00
Contribution of Fire for the Acquisition of Young Talents for a Transformed Industrial Environment
11:10 - 11:30
Effective Collaboration for the Transfer of Refractory Basic Science to Real Life Applications
11:30 - 11:50
Cutting-Edge Methods for Tracking Hydration Behvaior of Refractory Hydraulic Binders
11:50 - 12:10
Improving Thermal Shock Resistance of Mullite Castables by Utilizing Dimensionless Parameters Derived from Buckingham? Theorem
12:10 - 12:30
Turning Challenges into Opportunities: Dealloying Approach to Produce Enhanced Thermal Insulators
14:00 - 14:20
Nb2O5 Addition in Alumina Refractory Castables and Development of Special Aluminas – Insights from Computational Thermodynamics
14:20 - 14:40
Effect of Reaction Conditions on M-S-H Formation for Refractories
14:40 - 15:00
Enhancing Hydration Resistance of Lime-based Refractories via Engineered CaO/Dolomite-MgO Core-Shell Composite Aggregates
15:00 - 15:20
Design of 3D-Manufactured Zirconia-based Refractories and their Resistance to Thermal Shocks and Corrosion in a Steel Casting Simulator
16:00 - 16:20
A New Insight on the Interactions Between Binding Systems and Zirconia Aggregates in Refractories
16:20 - 16:40
Anti-Clogging Solution for Submerged Nozzle Considering the Customer's Perspective – A Case Study
16:40 - 17:00
Development of Boron-Free Glazes for Al2O3-C Stoppers Based on Thermodynamic Calculations and their Characterization
17:00 - 17:20
Advanced Cold Start Submerged Entry Nozzle for Stable and Flexible Casting Operations: A Holistic Approach Towards Carbon Neutrality
17:20 - 17:40
Use of Metallurgical Residues as Potential Raw Materials for High-Performance Refractory Castables
11:10 - 11:30
Evaluating the Impact of Recycled Magnesia Carbon Refractories on Furnace Lining Performance in the Steel Industry
11:30 - 11:50
MgO-C Ladle Bricks Based on Recyclates and a Lignin-Collagen-Fructose Binder System
11:50 - 12:10
Study on Li Extraction from Recycled Sagger Refractory in Cathode Manufacturing
12:10 - 12:30
Enhancing the Performance of Low-Carbon MgO-C Refractories Through Matrix Reinforcement
14:00 - 14:20
Special Binder System in MgO-C Refractory Bricks for Thermomechanical Behavior Improvement of Steel Ladle Lining
14:20 - 14:40
Bond Between Black and White: A New Concept Refractory for Transition Zone of Slag and Metal Zone of Steel Ladle
14:40 - 15:00
Effect of MgO and Cr2O3 Additions on the Interactions between Alumina-Based Refractories and Steel Ladle Slags
15:00 - 15:20
Impact of Bulk & Matrix Chemistry on Thermomechanical Properties of Dense Refractory Bricks
16:00 - 16:20
Estimating the Slag's Properties by Coupling Thermodynamic Calculations and Predictive Machine Learning Models
16:20 - 16:40
Influence of Alumina-Chrome Waste Residual with Different Sodium Oxide Content on the Slag Corrosion Resistance of Corundum-Spinel Castables
16:40 - 17:00
Measurement and Numerical Analysis of Thermal Stress Under Uniaxial Constraint
11:10 - 11:30
Refractory Lining Assessment with Finite Element Analysis for Carbon Black Hot Air Duct
11:30 - 11:50
Suppression Effect of Alumina Adhesion Due to Geometry of the Submerged Entry Nozzle
11:50 - 12:10
Thermomechanical Modeling of the Non-Linear Behaviour of Refractory Masonries
12:10 - 12:30
Collodial Silica Technology for In Situ Spinel Refractory Castables
14:00 - 14:20
Collodial Silica-Bonded High-Alumina Refractory Castables: Systemic Analysis from Casting, Curing, and Drying up to Contact with Molten Aluminum
14:20 - 14:40
Research and Latest Developments in the Field of Calcium Aluminate Binders for Refractories
14:40 - 15:00
Effect of Untrafine Alumina Powder in Alumina-Magnesia Castables on Material Properties
15:00 - 15:20
Next Generation Superplasticizer for Non-Basic Castables
16:00 - 16:20
Novel Raw Materials with Enhanced Thermal Shock Resistance and Energy Saving for High Alumina Steel Ladle Refractories
16:20 - 16:40
Influence of Slag Compositions on the Performance of Tundish Dry Vibrating Mass
16:40 - 17:00
Energy Efficient Lightweight Castables Containing Porous Aggregates Prepared Using In-Situ Decomposition and Pore-Forming Techniques
17:00 - 17:20
Development of Special Castable for Higher Capacity Rotary Kiln in Manufacturing of Sponge Iron Through Direct Reduction of Iron
17:20 - 17:40
Improvement of Refractory Profile and Repair Methods for Enhancing the Permeability of EAF Bottom Gas Stirring
11:10 - 11:30
The Influence of Bottom Gas Blowing on Metallurgical Results in EAF
11:30 - 11:50
Development of a Unidirectional Sintering Test for EAF Hearth DVM Characterization
11:50 - 12:10
Challenges on Refractory Lining in Steelmaking Exposed to Feeds with Increased DRI – A Way Forward
12:10 - 12:30
Enhancing H2 Corrosion Resistance in Mullite-Based Refractories for Hydrogen-Based Direct Reduced Iron Production
14:00 - 14:20
Advancing Steel Processing with Lightweight Fibrous Refractory Materials in Hydrogen-Driven DRI Processes
14:20 - 14:40
Optimizing the Performance of Polycristaline Wool-Based Refractory Shapes for High-Temperature, Water Vapor-Rich Environments in Steel Production
14:40 - 15:00
Effect at High Temperatures of Water Vapor Generated In the Oxycombustion of Hydrogen on the Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of MgO-C Bricks
15:00 - 15:20
We Do Not Dry Trough and Runners Refractory Castables Anymore: Availability and Sustainability Walking Together
16:00 - 16:20
In-Depth Evaluation of Carbon Role on Trough and Runners Refractory Castables
16:20 - 16:40
The Influence of Flow Velocity on the Refractory Wear of the Blast Furnace Main Trough
16:40 - 17:00
Improved Corrosion Resistance and Thermal Shock Resistance of Al2O3-SiC-C Castable for Main Runner of Blast Furnace By Composite Addition of TiO2 and Metalic Si Powder
17:00 - 17:20
Reduction of Temperature Drop in Molten Iron in Torpedo Ladle Car Through Insulating Refractory
17:20 - 17:40
Sustainability Meets Intelligence: End Users' Perspective
Moderated by Dr. Yakup Bayram
08:20 - 09:20
Raw Materials: Global Supply Chain Challenges and Opportunities in the Refractory Industry
Moderated by Mike O'Driscoll
Imerys, Cremer, Actech, Hindalco, RHI Magnesita
09:20 - 10:20
FIRE Award
10:20 - 10:40
COFFEE BREAK
10:40 - 11:10
LUNCH
12:30 - 14:00
COFFEE BREAK
15:20 - 16:00
Room 1
Room 1
Room 2
Room 3
Room 4
08:00
09:00
10:00
11:00
12:00
13:00
Heavy Metal Infiltration in Magnesia-Spinel Refractory After Use in a Cement Rotary Kiln: A Case Study
08:20 - 08:40
Optimizing the Spinel Content in Magnesia-Spinel Bricks
08:40 - 09:00
Sulphur Attack on Basic Refractory Lining with a Focus on Cement Clinker Rotary Kilns
09:00 - 09:20
Application of Non-Cement Castable for Preheater in Cement Plant
09:20 - 09:40
Development and Applications of High Strength Dry-Gunning Mix and Burner-Tip Castable for Cement Plants
09:40 - 10:00
Refractory Linings for Cement Rotary Kilns Towards Recycling Society
10:00 - 10:20
Characterization and Establishing New Age Additives in Taphole Clays for Extra-Large Blast Furnaces
10:50 - 11:10
Shotcrete Solutions in Blast Furnace Refractory Repair: An Evaluation of Technological Advancements in India
11:10 - 11:30
A Calculation of Heat Loss with H2 Gas and FEM Simulation for Optimizing the Layout of Refractory Walls for Energy Saving
11:30 - 11:50
Innovate Heat Recovery Solutions in Kilns: Unlocking Efficiency Through Heat Regeneration
11:50 - 12:10
Optimizing Silica Refractory Firing: Natural Gas Integration at Reduced Temperature
12:10 - 12:30
Afterburning in Thermal Oxidizer Leads to Premature Refractory Failure
08:20 - 08:40
Influence of Cr2O3 and ZrO2 on the Properties of Alumina Refractories for Carbon Black Reactors
08:40 - 09:00
Novel Refractory Lining Concepts for High Temperature Applications Based on Zirconia
09:00 - 09:20
ASTM Commitee C08 on Refractories Compared to DIN EN ISO / Overview and Comparison of the Standard Tests for Refractories
09:20 - 09:40
Inline Process Monitoring and Quality Control of Ceramic Materials Using Contact Free Air-Coupled Ultrasound
09:40 - 10:00
Optimization of Alumina-Silica Refractory Life Management Strategy for Secondary Reformer
10:00 - 10:20
Innovative Test Methodologies to Evaluate the Impact of Alternative Fuel Corrosion in Cement Production
10:50 - 11:10
Combined Thermal Shock and Slag Test: A Novel and Useful Tool for Refractory Selection
11:10 - 11:30
Calculation of the Product Carbon Footprint of Refractory Materials
11:30 - 11:50
Special Laboratory Furnace for Rapid Dry Out and Explosion Tests of Refractory Concretes
11:50 - 12:10
New Approach for Measuring the Sound Velocity of Ceramic Materials with Non-Contact Air-Coupled Ultrasound
12:10 - 12:30
Activated Refractory Concrete Concepts with Balanced Properties for Industrial Applications
08:20 - 08:40
The Wet Shotcrete Method for Refractories Using Powder Accelerators
08:40 - 09:00
Impact of Silica Fume and Sodium Silicate on the Early Hydration of Calcium Aluminate Cement
09:00 - 09:20
Sustainable Valorization of the MGO-SiO2-H2O Gel Bonding System for Non-Cement Alumina & SiC Monolithics
09:20 - 09:40
Development of Graphite-Containing Monolithic Refractory Material
09:40 - 10:00
Design of a New Ceramic Castable for use in Complex Geometries
10:00 - 10:20
The Inlfuence of High Oxygen Content Steel Grades on Spinel Carbon Stopper Rod Head and Improvement Measures
10:50 - 11:10
Preliminary Assesment and Countermeasure Development for Refractory Risks in the Continuous Casting Process of New High-Alloy Steel
11:10 - 11:30
Study on Increasing the Life of Tundish Middle Plate Refractory to Reduce Steelmaking Costs
11:30 - 11:50
Environmentally Friendly Magnesia-Based Lightweight Spraying Material for Tundish Lining
11:50 - 12:10
Development and Evaluation of Novel Foresterite-Bonded Precast Castable for Tundish Weir and Dam in Steelmaking
12:10 - 12:30
Achieving Excellence in Slide Gate Refractories Performance by Technical Progression
12:30 - 12:50
Superior Performance Alumina-Spinel Precast Bottom for Large Capacity Steel Ladle
08:20 - 08:40
New Aggregate Ladle Castable at SSAB Raahe
08:40 - 09:00
Erosion Mechanism of Ma-Ca6-C Refractory in the Sidewall of the Refining Ladle
09:00 - 09:20
Life Cycle Assessment of High-Alumina Spinel Bricks for Steel Ladle Wall Lining
09:20 - 09:40
Development of Cast and Porous Core Purging Plug
09:40 - 10:00
Improvements of the Purging Plugs
10:00 - 10:20
Effect of Mechanical Constraint and Slag Infiltration on the Thermal Shock Resistance of Magnesia-Chrome Bricks
10:50 - 11:10
Innovate Approaches in Steel Making Refractories while Making Value Added Steel Production at JSW Steel Vijaynagar Works
11:10 - 11:30
Development of Integrated Casting Block for RH Throat Refractories
11:30 - 11:50
COFFEE BREAK
10:20 - 10:50