Federation for International Refractory Research and Education
Education Committee

Thorsten Tonnesen
RWTH Aachen - Germany
Chair

Emmanuel de Bilbao
University of Orléans - France

Marc Huger
Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Ceramique Industrielle - France

Kinga Klima
Tata Steel Europe - The Netherlands

Victor Carlos Pandolfelli
University of São Carlos - Brazil

Hong Peng
Elkem - Norway

Jacques Poirier
University of Orléans - France

Michel Rigaud
Polytechnique Montreal - Canada

Paul Van Beurden
Tata Steel Europe - The Netherlands

Christoph Wohrmeyer
Imerys - France
Last news
2026 FIRE Student Photo Competition dedicated to high-temperature resistant materials
If you are a student or recent graduate (up to 5 years after graduation), we invite you to submit a photo showing a material being able to withstand the power of FIRE. Both refractory and another high temperature resistant material qualify. Whether it is from a lab or industrial environment, we would love to see what amazes you.
Highlight of the members of the Board of Directors - Victor Carlos Pandolfelli
My journey with FIRE began in 2003, together with Prof. Michel Rigaud and other academic and industrial colleagues. In 2005, our first official meeting in Limoges, France, transformed this vision into reality. From the beginning, FIRE was founded on a strong belief in cooperation between universities and industry towards a better education. Its strength has always come from working across institutional, cultural, and national borders.
Contact us and/or Become Member!
Contact us for any information and/or to Become Member of FIRE: fire@ecers.org