We’re excited to announce that on 17th -19th June 2025 the IFRF will hold its first full, in-person conference since 2018.

The IFRF Conference 2025 will be our 20th conference since the IFRF was founded in 1948. As a world-renowned centre for steelmaking and high-temperature industries, as well as the current IFRF headquarters, Sheffield is an ideal venue to bring together delegates from across the world.

Who should attend?

The conference theme – ‘sustainable and safe industrial combustion’– echoes the key objective of IFRF and has direct relevance to practitioners across a wide range of industrial sectors, including:

• Power generation
• Iron, steel and aluminium production
• Oil and gas
• Refining and petrochemicals
• Glassmaking
• Ceramics production
• District heating and cooling
• Cement production
• Lime and minerals processing

Date

Tuesday 17th June – Thursday 19th June 2025.

Venue

Sheffield Town Hall, Pinstone Street, Sheffield S1 2HH.

What to expect

Hosted in Sheffield, UK – the current IFRF headquarters – the conference promises to be an invigorating and exciting event, including:

• A keynote speech each day from combustion experts in research and industry
• Tour of the Energy Innovation Centre’s state-of-the-art facilities, home to the Translational Energy Research Centre (TERC) and Sustainable Aviation Fuels Innovation Centre (SAF-IC)
• Poster sessions
• Interactive panel discussions
• Paper presentations (to be collated in a special edition of Industrial Combustion Journal)
• EU project dissemination sessions
• A special half-day session on significant demonstration projects
• Networking opportunities with fellow researchers, practitioners, and industry professionals
• A gala dinner at the University of Sheffield’s historic Firth Hall

Keynote speakers

Louis Ricci, R&D Director at Fives Combustion Business Unit

Louis Ricci is a professional in the domain of industrial combustion, currently serving as the R&D Director at Fives Combustion Business Unit. With an extensive engineering background around combustion, he coordinates R&D topics and decarbonation actions across the three brands of the Fives group: Fives North American Combustion, Fives Pillard, and Fives Itas, providing combustion systems in various industrial sectors. Promoting progress, development, and pragmatic innovation in thermal energy and environmental concerns around combustion topics is his core focus. 

The necessity of energy transition presents new challenges, and he is proud to contribute to them. He holds a Mechanical and Energy Engineering degree from Arts et Métiers Engineering School of Paris (1990) and a MBA. With over 25 years of experience in combustion, he has technical expertise in combustion and pyro processes and is the inventor of multiple combustion systems. His key positions include R&D Director at Fives Combustion Business Unit (since 2021), COO and CTO at Fives Itas (2016-2018), CTO at Fives Pillard (2007-2016), and R&D Director at CNIM Environment France (2019-2021). His work is dedicated to improving efficiency and reducing emissions in industrial processes, a key target for his company and the broader industry.

Sebastiano Fumero, Head of “Future Low Emission Industries” unit,  European Research Executive Agency, European Commission

Sebastiano is currently the Head of Unit in the European Commission – Research Executive Agency for the “Future Low Emission Industries” in charge of the management of the Research Fund for Coal and Steel, contributing to the European Green Deal’s goals towards just transition and a climate-neutral economy.
The last 30 years, he used to serve the EU priorities by several positions as Cabinet member, Political decision-maker, and Head of Unit in both European Parliament and in the European Commission.

His portfolios included mainly research and innovation for the environment. The EU transport and aviation policies, aeronautics’ parts in Framework Programmes (FP6, FP7, Horizon 2020), research budget, the initiatives of Joint Undertaking Clean Aviation and of Joint Technology Initiative in aeronautics (Clean Sky 2). Sebastiano has studied European Law and Political Sciences (Turin). He used to be fellow of International Labour Organisation (Turin), École Nationale d’Administration (Paris), of Diplomatic Institute of Rome, and of the Fondation Jean Monnet. Sebastiano speaks English, French, Italian and Spanish

Philip de Goey, Full Professor of Combustion Technology in the Power & Flow, Department of Mechanical Engineering at TU/e (Eindhoven University of Technology)

Philip de Goey is Full Professor of Combustion Technology in the Power & Flow section of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at TU/e. His areas of expertise include combustion science, technology and innovation, energy, thermo-fluids and heat transport technology. From 1988 to 1995, he was Assistant Professor and from 1995-2000 he was Associate Professor of combustion science in the Section Energy Technology at the Mechanical Engineering Department of the TU/e. Philip is active and well-known for numerical and experimental research in the field of laminar flames, turbulent flames, engines, gas turbines, flame thermo-acoustics, etc. The two most important achievements for which the chair is known are the invention of:

I) The Heat Flux Method, one of the most accurate methods known for measuring adiabatic burning velocities and used by at least 12 other groups in the world, which will be extended to metal fuels within the current project
II) The FGM method, a very efficient and accurate combustion modeling technique, also well recognized in the combustion community worldwide and also used by more than 30 groups/industries over the world.

Philip de Goey studied Theoretical Physics at Radboud University, Nijmegen and received his PhD from the Department of Physics of the TU/e for his thesis ‘Collision Phenomena in a Quantum Gas’. From 1999-2000 he was Visiting Professor at the Institut fur Technische Mechanik (Prof. Norbert Peters) at the RWTH-Aachen, Germany. Philip has been chairman of the Dutch Section of the Combustion Institute, chairman of the platform ‘Clean and Efficient Combustion’ of the Dutch Technology Foundation STW-SZV and program leader of the STW perspectief program Clean Combustion Concepts (2008-date). He has previously acted as Associate Editor and Editor of the Proceedings of the Combustion Institute, Coordinator and Colloquium Co-Chair of the colloquium on ‘Laminar Flames’ at the 31st and 32nd (Int.) Symposium on Combustion. Philip has (co-)authored over 400 scientific publications and is a scientific committee member of 10 international conferences.

Anna Domènech, Head of Innovation & Industrial Engineer at Celsa

Anna Domènech, an Industrial Engineer with a master’s in International Business Management, brings 14 years of expertise in funding and innovation management to the table. Since 2021, she has served as the Head of Innovation at CELSA Group, spearheading the coordination of innovation initiatives aimed at realizing the Group’s Net Positive objectives across their business units in Spain, France, the UK, Poland, and the Nordic countries.

Anna’s foray into innovation commenced during her six-year consultancy tenure in Brussels, where she specialized in guiding clients through the intricacies of the European innovation landscape and securing vital grants.

In her preceding role, spanning the four years leading up to her current position at CELSA, Anna managed Nissan Europe’s participation in collaborative projects funded by both national and European agencies. Her efforts played a pivotal role in driving innovation within Nissan’s European factories, research centers, and business units.

Registration and ticket prices

Registration is now open – book your tickets on Ticket Tailor.

During registration you will be asked to confirm whether you are interested in taking the tour of TERC, which can hold up to a maximum of 80 participants.

We will do our best to fulfil your requirements to allow you to fully participate in this event. Please let us know if you have any special requirements such as dietary needs, the need for a private room during the day, handouts in advance and/or in alternative formats such as Braille or large print, hearing loops, wheelchair access, high-backed chair etc.

Cancellation policy

If IFRF should have to postpone an event, IFRF shall notify you as soon as possible and provide you with a new date for the delivery of the event.

If IFRF should have to cancel the event, IFRF shall provide you with a full refund of the ticket price only.

Should you wish to cancel any booking of an event in advance of the event date, notice should be sent to administration@ifrf.net as soon as possible.

Should you wish to cancel any booking of an event in advance of the event date, you will be entitled to the following refund:

• More than 28 days before the event date: 100%
• Between 22 and 28 days before the event date: 75%
• Between 15 and 21 days before the event date: 50%
• 14 days or less before the event date: 0%

Call for abstracts

We invite abstracts (300 words) for oral and poster papers from researchers, practitioners, and industry professionals. Selected abstracts will be invited to present their work at the conference.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Advances in combustion technology for zero emissions and decarbonisation
• Sustainable industrial practices in hard-to-abate sectors such as power generation, propulsion, cement, steel, glass, etc.
• Pollutant and greenhouses gases emission reduction and control
• Low carbon (eg. hydrogen, ammonia) and alternative fuels (eg. metals, SAF)
• Thermal process optimisation
• Innovations in industrial combustion systems
• Measurement and sensing techniques for combustion efficiency, control and emissions
• Modelling and AI tools for the digitalisation of energy-intensive industries

Abstracts should be submitted by Friday, 31 January 2025.

Please send abstracts as Microsoft Word files to Siobhan Green at administration@ifrf.net using the following template: IFRF-2025-Conference-Abstract-Template (Word, 15.3 kB).

Special session on significant demonstration projects

A half-day session of the conference will be dedicated to the presentation of significant demonstration projects with the objective of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in sectors that are hard to abate, including steel, cement, lime, non-ferrous, glass or power generation. The session will feature cutting-edge technologies, including oxy-combustion, low-carbon fuels such as hydrogen, and carbon capture and use or storage. It will highlight innovative solutions to the challenge of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

We are pleased and honoured to announce that Sebastiano Fumero, Head of the “Future Low Emission Industries” unit at the European Research Executive Agency, will be delivering the introductory speech.

We invite representatives from ongoing and completed projects with advanced Technology Readiness Levels (6-8) to submit abstracts for the presentation of their findings. Projects co-funded by the EU and national initiatives are encouraged to participate. The format will include stand/poster presentations of the general vision and scope of the projects, oral presentations of technical combustion related challenges and solutions, and a roundtable discussion, facilitating an exchange of technical know-how and collaborative ideas.

Tour

On Wednesday 18th June, from 16:00 – 17:30, delegates have the option of attending a tour of the Translational Energy Research Centre (TERC) facilities. 

TERC is a world-leading pilot-scale research centre which works with industry to test and develop green energy solutions for a decarbonised future. It is one of the largest and best-equipped zero-carbon energy research and development facilities in Europe.

With full capability to test, optimise and demonstrate technologies at pilot-scale, TERC has everything needed for commercially focused, mission-oriented research and development. Its expertise covers hydrogen, bioenergy, carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) and sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), as well as renewables and the wider energy system.

The tour will allow you to see many of the exciting pieces of equipment based at TERC, as well as hear from its resident experts. 

If you are interested in joining the tour, please confirm this on your registration when prompted. There are a maximum of 80 available places on the tour. 

Transport

Sheffield Town Hall is located in the heart of the city centre, within walking distance of rail links, park & ride facilities and city centre parking. 

Sheffield is the perfect location for both national and international events with fast transport links to the West Country, North, South, London and airports.

Nearest airports: The closest airports to Sheffield are Manchester, Leeds Bradford, and East Midlands. Manchester Airport is the best option for Sheffield, with easy onward train travel. To reach Sheffield from Manchester Airport, take the train from Manchester Airport to Manchester Piccadilly, then change to take a train to Sheffield. 

Nearest train station: Sheffield station, Sheaf Street, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S1 2BP

From there, the Town Hall is a 7-10 minute taxi ride, with cabs available outside the station or by pre-booking, or a 9 minute walk. 

Tram: Sheffield has a tram system which can take you to links across the city. The closest tram stops to the Town Hall are Cathedral, Castle Square, City Hall and West Street tram stops.  

By car and taxi: You can order taxis in Sheffield via Uber, Bolt or the local service Veezu (+44 01179 252626 or via the app). If you are planning to drive, information about city centre car parking can be found here. 

Accommodation

Sheffield, particularly the city centre, is home to a range of hotels with easy access to the Town Hall. 

We have put together specially-created list of hotels with delegate rates for this event.

Reservations can be made using the web address below until 28 days prior to the event start date. On this date some hotels will choose to leave unsold rooms on the system, or they may remove them. The site will close fully 14 days prior to the event start date. After this date contact details for hotel will be given for last minute enquiries. As more bookings are made, this encourages hotels to leave their rooms on the system for as long as possible, so please book early where possible.

If you are interested in a block booking for a group, please get in touch with us at administration@ifrf.net and we will coordinate this for you.

Booking website: https://book.passkey.com/e/50878145 

Conference sponsorship

The IFRF Conference 2025 will bring together leading researchers, industry experts, and students from across the world to exchange ideas, explore cutting-edge research, and foster collaboration in their field.

Conference sponsors will have the opportunity to connect with key decision-makers, showcase their brand to a global community of scientists and engineers, and contribute to the advancement of combustion research.

Our sponsorship packages offer a variety of benefits tailored to meet your specific marketing objectives, elevate your brand and strengthen your industry presence.

If you are interested in sponsoring the IFRF Conference 2025, please contact Siobhan Green administration@ifrf.net for more information.

Organising committees

Scientific programme committee

• Sébastien Caillat, Fives Group
• Benedicte Cuenot, Safran
• Mario Ditaranto, Sintef
• Greg Kelsall, IFRF
• Jörg Leicher, GWI
• Bill Nimmo, University of Sheffield
• Sauro Pasini, IFRF
• Mohamed Pourkashanian, IFRF
• Nico Schmitz, University of Aachen
• Nils Skoglund, University of Umeå
• Giancarlo Sorrentino, CNR

Organisational committee

• Greg Kelsall – IFRF
• Sauro Pasini – IFRF
• Melissa Ayres – IFRF/Energy Innovation Centre
• Sébastien Caillat – IFRF/Fives Group
• Siobhan Green – IFRF/Energy Innovation Centre
• Mohamed Pourkashanian – IFRF/Energy Innovation Centre
• Rhianne Spurden – IFRF/Energy Innovation Centre
• Niamh Haughey – IFRF/Energy Innovation Centre