About the work of the Thirteenth World Congress of Ferro-alloys INFACON XIII "Efficient technologies in ferroalloy industry"

The Thirteenth World Congress of Ferro-alloys INFACON XIII "Efficient technologies in ferroalloy industry" ("Efficient technological processes in the production of ferroalloys") was held in Almaty, June 9-12, 2013, followed by technical tours (June 13, 2013) to Aktobe and Aksu ferroalloy plants of TNK KAZCHROME JSC.

This congress already has a long history. It was held for the 13th time, since 1974. The Congress was established in 1974 in South Africa on the initiative of the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM), the National Institute of Metallurgy of South Africa (MINTEK) and the Association of Ferroalloy Manufacturers (FAPA).

As a result of the agreement between the ferroalloy associations of various countries reached at the first INFACON Congress, the International Committee on Ferroalloys was established. The Permanent secretariat of the ICF is located in the office of the Ministry of Technology– the National Institute of Metallurgy of South Africa.

Chairman of the IFF

Dr. Nicholas Barkza

General Secretary of the IFF

Dr. Rodney Jones

The main mission of the ICF is to promote and develop the INFACON Congress and to ensure a high scientific and technical level of reports and articles by the congress participants.

INFACON congresses are held in various countries around the world and aim to unite, professionally communicate and exchange information between specialists in the field of ferroalloy production – both scientists and manufacturers.

Interest in it is not decreasing, but growing, and as a result, about 480 delegates from 36 countries were registered on the website of the 13th Congress. The geographical representation of the participants is very extensive, applications for participation in the Congress were submitted by representatives of all continents: South and North America, Africa, Europe, Asia and Australia. Renowned specialists from the world's leading ferroalloy companies arrived – ThyssenKrupp, SMS SIEMAG, Outotec, Hatch, Mintek, KazChrome, POSCO, HANWA, etc.

Chart of INFACON XIII participants by country

The purpose of the congress is to exchange experience, information on research work in the field of ferroalloy production and new technologies, and the creation of joint business projects.

1. Technology and production activities
2. Technical and applied aspects of production
3. Basic research
4. Energy and ecology
5. Economic issues

Before the start of the work, the proceedings of the Thirteenth World Congress of Ferro-Alloys INFACON XIII "Efficient technologies in ferroalloy industry" were published in two volumes, with a total circulation of 500 copies. During the conference 76 oral reports were heard. 43 reports were presented in poster form. 4 reports were heard at the plenary sessions of the opening and closing ceremonies of the congress.

An exhibition was held within the framework of the Congress, which was attended by leading manufacturers of technological equipment:

Resonant Environmental Technologies (South Africa), WL Gore (Germany), DNEPROHYDROMACH (Ukraine), Sinosteel Jilin Electro-Mechanical Equipment Co., Ltd (China), GHALSASI GROUP (India), Vatvedt Group (Norway), RHI AG (Switzerland), TMT - Tapping Measuring Technology GmbH (Germany), Etiproducts (Finland), Outotec (Finland), TenovaPyromet (South Africa), COMETVA SA /FAI Production (Switzerland), Fives FCB (Switzerland), Elkem Carbon AS (Norway), Elkem Technology (Norway), Agellis Group AB (Sweden), ThosBegbie& Co (Pty) Ltd (South Africa), UHT AB (Sweden).

General analysis of the presented reports

The authors of the reports presented the results of scientific research aimed at improving the technological processes of ferroalloy smelting in AC and DC electric furnaces, and showed the results of the introduction of new technical solutions to improve the efficiency of ferroalloy production.

The total number of reports accepted for publication was 119. The works are presented by authors from 23 countries of the world.

It should be noted that all the presented works are aimed at solving the problems of specific industries and the authors are often employees of research centers established at large ferroalloy enterprises.

Within the framework of the congress, two technical excursions were organized for the guests and participants to the Aktobe and Aksu ferroalloy plants of TNK KAZCHROME JSC. Two charter flights were booked: Almaty-Aktobe and Almaty-Pavlodar. The tours were organized with the support of TNK Kazchrome JSC.

The tour program included:

• Aktobe Ferroalloy Plant, a unique 72 MVA DC furnace workshop under construction for smelting high-carbon ferrochrome.
• Aksu Ferroalloy Plant, workshop No. 1 (FeCr, SiCr, SiMn) and workshop No. 6 (unique furnaces with a capacity of 63 MVA for smelting carbonaceous ferrochrome).

In general, the INFACON XIII Congress was held in a creative atmosphere, the preparation and organization of the congress, as well as the scientific and technical level of the presented reports were highly appreciated by the International Committee on Ferroalloys, delegates, sponsors and guests of the congress.

At the final meeting of the International Monetary Fund on June 11, 2013 in Almaty, as a result of voting, the honorary right to host the INFACON XIV Congress in 2015 was awarded to Ukraine, Kiev.

The Organizing Committee of the INFACON XIII Congress wishes success to the organizer of the next congress, the Ukrainian Ferroalloy Association, and expresses its readiness to provide all possible support and assistance in holding the upcoming INFACON XIV Congress.