Federation for International Refractory Research and Education

News

May 4, 2026

Highlight of the members of the Board of Directors - Alexander Leitner

FIRE stands out to me as a platform that brings people together to tackle real-world challenges in a collaborative and international way. It highlights how our field can evolve through shared knowledge, fresh perspectives, and a strong focus on future impact.

As a new member of the FIRE Board of Directors, I’m really excited to be part of a network that brings together research, education, and international collaboration in such a dynamic way. What stands out to me is how FIRE connects academia, industry, and young talent across institutions, countries, and generations.

In a field that can sometimes feel quite niche, initiatives like FIRE make a real difference by opening doors, building connections, and making our community more visible and accessible. By encouraging exchange and collaboration, FIRE helps keep our field innovative, relevant, and attractive for the next generation.

I’m looking forward to contributing to this journey and supporting a community that grows through connection, curiosity, and shared ambition. I’m especially motivated by the chance to strengthen the link between emerging talent and industry, and to help shape a more connected and forward-looking future for our field.

Alexander Leitner

Head of Pioneer Research

www.rhimagnesita.com

LinkedIn - RHI Magnesita

LinkedIn - Alexander Leitner

Last news

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.

Oct 13, 2026
Highlight of the members of the Board of Directors - Christos C. Aneziris

As the world navigates climate and energy transitions, strong partnerships between industry and academia are more important than ever. In the refractory field, sustainability means not only developing materials for high-temperature applications, but also ensuring the sustainable processing of these materials.

Oct 13, 2026

Contact us and/or Become Member!

Contact us for any information and/or to Become Member of FIRE: fire@ecers.org 

Contact us

fire@ecers.org

Av. Gouverneur Cornez , 4

7000 Mons

Belgium

Useful links