Symposium CN
Science and Technology for Silicate Ceramics
Conveners:
Chiara MOLINARI, CNR-ISSMC, Italy
Alexander KARAMANOV, Bulgarian Academy of Science, Bulgaria
Members:
Richard BOWMAN, Intertile Research Pty Ltd, Australia
Dolores ELICHE QUESADA, Jaen University, Spain
Ewelina KLOSEK-WAWRZYN, AGH University of Science and Technology, Poland
Joao A. LABRINCHA, University of Aveiro, Portugal
Isabella LANCELLOTTI, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy
Gisele LECOMTE-NANA, University of Limoges, France
Arnaldo MORENO BERTO, Instituto de Tecnología Cerámica, Spain
Pedro MUNOZ VELASCO, International University of La Rioja, Spain
Nicolas M. RENDTORFF, CETMIC, Argentina
Oscar Jaime RESTREPO BAENA, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Colombia
Maximina ROMERO, CSIC-IETCC, Spain
Cristina SILIGARDI, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy
Servet TURAN, Eskisehir Technical University, Turkey
Milica VASIC, Institute for Testing of Materials IMS, Serbia
Chiara MOLINARI, CNR-ISSMC, Italy
Alexander KARAMANOV, Bulgarian Academy of Science, Bulgaria
Members:
Richard BOWMAN, Intertile Research Pty Ltd, Australia
Dolores ELICHE QUESADA, Jaen University, Spain
Ewelina KLOSEK-WAWRZYN, AGH University of Science and Technology, Poland
Joao A. LABRINCHA, University of Aveiro, Portugal
Isabella LANCELLOTTI, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy
Gisele LECOMTE-NANA, University of Limoges, France
Arnaldo MORENO BERTO, Instituto de Tecnología Cerámica, Spain
Pedro MUNOZ VELASCO, International University of La Rioja, Spain
Nicolas M. RENDTORFF, CETMIC, Argentina
Oscar Jaime RESTREPO BAENA, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Colombia
Maximina ROMERO, CSIC-IETCC, Spain
Cristina SILIGARDI, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy
Servet TURAN, Eskisehir Technical University, Turkey
Milica VASIC, Institute for Testing of Materials IMS, Serbia
The list of Invited Speakers will be available at the end of July 2025
The Silicate Ceramics industry uses large amounts of primary mineral raw materials that belong to non-renewable natural resources. Future expansion can be easily predictable given by on rising demand of improved life standards and demographic growth. Roadmaps urged by the European Commission for ceramic industry define ambitious long-term objectives for resource efficiency, energy savings and a low-carbon economy. The need to replace critical raw materials leads to a shift towards alternative sources and resilient supply chains. Furthermore, continuous industrial production growth generates a huge amount of waste from different manufactures, which are interesting as substitutes for raw materials. The suitability of waste materials for various uses can be widely affected, depending on the economic, technological and legal framework. The industry is even more demanding to develop innovative processes that allow, also through AI implementation, to reduce the global impact and maximize the sustainability of ceramic production. However, the replacement of some of the traditional raw materials may be associated with changes in the molding and firing of the new ceramics. So, the purpose of this symposium is to focus interest on ongoing R&D activities on silicate ceramics: wall and floor tiles, geopolymers, glazes, pigments and raw materials. Matter will cover research work on new raw and secondary materials, the properties and behavior of materials, development of new ceramic products, innovative manufacturing technologies, surface decoration and functionalization environmental impact issues.
Session Topics
CN-1 Green and sustainable silicate ceramics
The continuous growth of world ceramic production is still increasing the natural raw materials consumption. In addition, the evolution of the global geopolitical scenarios requires a diversification in materials supply chains, and also new thinking on building materials. Furthermore, the possibility of introducing waste materials, using ceramisation processes as inertizing systems for dangerous components, is generating increasing interest. This session will explore the possibility of formulation and processes changes by the introduction of both alternative raw materials and industrial or urban wastes. Particular attention will be focused not only on material properties variation but also on the resulting environmental and social impact.
CN-2 Glasses, glazes and pigments
The decoration of silicate ceramics plays a key role for aesthetic and technical purposes. The digital decoration technology does not involve only pigments and dyes applications but is increasingly addressed to a full digital application. The development of materials and processes for digital printing suitable systems are therefore of fundamental importance. In addition, competition from other markets in critical raw materials supply requires the development of alternative decoration materials. This session will cover the development and behaviour of decoration materials, assessing environmental sustainability aspects and green chemistry.
The modern ceramic industry is increasingly confronted with problems related to production flexibility and innovation in terms of process, formats and specific functionalities. This session will focus on innovative production of silicate ceramics in terms of forming (including large slabs, 3D printing, new granulation systems, etc.), surface functionalization (self-cleaning, bacteriostatic or high reflectivity, controlled take-up, wear resistance, magnetic shielding, thermo-hygrometric comfort or energy collection), process efficiency or implementation of technological properties.