The Smelting Symposium was first organized in 2023 as an online event under the name SAF/OSBF Symposium by the Department for Industrial Furnaces and Heat Engineering (IOB) at RWTH Aachen University. After the renaming to Smelting Symposium and another online event in 2024, the 3rd Smelting Symposium will take place as a face-to-face event on September 29 and 30, 2026 in Aachen.
The symposium will be used to present the current status of research & development and plant technology for electric smelting furnaces (ESF, including SAF and OSBF) and to discuss the future tasks and challenges of the industries (ferroalloys, steelmaking, recycling, etc.). To this end, specialist lectures from science and industry will be presented and discussions held.
Submerged Arc Furnace by Viktor Mácha / viktormacha.com
Smelting Symposium 2026
Venue
The Ford Hall (Ford-Saal) in the SuperC will be the centerpiece of the Smelting Symposium — a place where science, inspiration, and a spectacular view over picturesque Aachen come together. As soon as you enter, you are welcomed by a light-filled space with high ceilings that instantly conveys a sense of new beginnings and innovation. The panoramic view of Aachen, featuring the Cathedral and City Hall, makes this venue in the heart of Aachen’s campus life a truly unique conference location.
Super C, Ford-Saal (6th floor) — Templergraben 57, 52062 Aachen (Goolge Maps)
Social Event
An Evening of Networking and Culinary Delights at Restaurant Elisenbrunnen
To round off an inspiring day, we invite you to our social evening at the historic Restaurant Elisenbrunnen. Located right in the heart of Aachen, directly adjacent to the famous thermal springs, this venue perfectly combines traditional charm with a sophisticated atmosphere. Enjoy a first-class dinner, raise a glass with colleagues, and use this wonderful opportunity to deepen conversations and forge new connections in a relaxed setting.
Restaurant Elisenbrunnen — Friedrich-Wilhelm-Platz 14, 52062 Aachen (Google Maps)
Hotels
For your convenience, we have selected a range of nearby hotels available for direct booking.
Preliminary agenda
Monday, September 28, 2026
Welcome Reception at IOB starting at 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, September 29, 2026
Scientific presentations at the Ford Hall (SuperC) from 9:00 a.m. til 4:00 p.m.
Social Event at the Restaurant Elisenbrunnen sarting at 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, September 30, 2026
Scientific presentations at the Ford Hall (SuperC) from 9:00 a.m. til 2:00 p.m.
Call for Abstracts
We invite you to share your latest research and insights at the Smelting Symposium. Authors are welcome to submit their abstracts (approximately 150–250 words) for consideration until July 31, 2026. Please note that submissions must be processed through our dedicated submission portal. Click on the button below to view the guidelines and submit your abstract.
Registration
Information on how to register for the symposium will be available here shortly.
See you at the upcoming symposium!
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Scientific Committee
Moritz Eickhoff (RWTH Aachen University)
Ville-Valtteri Visuri (University of Oulu)
Organization
Dr.-Ing. Moritz Eickhoff
Group Manager High Temperature Flows
+49 241 80–26065
Previous Smelting Symposia
SAF/OSBF Symposium 2023 — online — December 15th, 2023
Smelting Symposium 2024 — online — October 11th, 2024
Registration for the mailing list
You will be automatically added to the list by registering to the conference.
