The intention of INFACON is to stimulate technical interchange on all aspects of ferro-alloy production. This is facilitated by the publication of refereed proceedings covering the major and most of the minor ferro-alloys. INFACON is controlled by the International Committee on Ferro Alloys (ICFA), whose objective is to promote the holding of the Congress every three years in appropriate locations and to retain the established high technical standard. ICFA arranges the meetings of representatives from producing and consuming countries during each INFACON to discuss the relevant technical content for INFACON and decide on the country that will host the subsequent Congress. Prospective host countries are invited to make submissions in advance to ICFA. The current members of ICFA include:ABRAFE (Brazil), CSM (China), IFPEO (Europe), IFAPA (India), JFA (Japan), TFA (North America), and FAPA (South
Africa), and invited attendees include Russia and Kazakhstan.
The INFACON Congresses are among the most significant events in the ferro-alloys community, bringing together top specialists from all over the world to discuss, share, and exchange ideas on how to make ferro-alloy production more efficient, safe, and environmentally friendly.
Until now, ten countries from five continents have been honoured with the right to host INFACON, and, for the first time in its history, the Congress will be held in the former Soviet Union. The Kazakhstan organizing committee will do their best to make this event one that is remembered by participants.
The theme of INFACON XIII - 'Efficient technologies in the ferro-alloy industry’ reflects needs and challenges that all ferro-alloy producers are now facing. Rapid growth of ferro-alloy production in recent years, deterioration of mineral and energy resources, and toughening of environmental policy are calling for a rational approach to the management and utilization of available natural resources. Efficient production is beneficial for both nature and humanity, and experts from the scientific and industrial worlds are invited to Almaty to share their views and ideas on how to improve ferro-alloy technologies and make them more efficient.
It has become a tradition that INFACON Congresses are not dedicated solely to professional contacts, but also involve social activity in a friendly atmosphere. INFACON XIII will continue these successful traditions. The Organizing Committee, Programme Committee, and all persons involved in organizing INFACON XIII are committed to ensure that
delegates find this event useful, interesting, and enjoyable.
After the conference, there will be a choice of two technical tours. The first is to the Aktobe Ferro-alloy Plant in Western Kazakhstan, where there are four new 72 MW DC arc furnaces for high-carbon ferrochrome smelting. The second is to the Aksu Ferro-alloy Plant, in Central Kazakhstan. This plant is the world´s biggest producer of chrome
ferro-alloys.
Congress participants will have the opportunity to get to know Kazakhstan, its people and nature, and to experience ancient traditions of Eastern hospitality in the land of snow-capped mountains and endless steppes. Further information is available from the following web sites: http://infacon13.kz or http://www.pyrometallurgy.co.za/Infacon/