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MINISTRY OF CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENT

Undersecretary of State and Chief National Geologist at the Ministry of Climate and Environment of the Republic of Poland since January 2024.

Graduated in 1990 at Geological Faculty of the AGH University of Science and Technology in Kraków, PhD and DSc in geology, Professor of natural sciences. Since 1990, he has been working at the Mineral and Energy Economy Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences in Kraków: 2002-2022 Head of Mineral Policy Department, 2013-2016 Deputy Director, 2017-2024 Director of Institute.

Until 2024, also Deputy Chairman of the Committee of Sustainable Management of Minerals Raw Materials of the Polish Academy of Sciences. Specialized in economic and mining geology, minerals management, mineral waste management, mineral and energy policy. Author and coauthor of over 270 scientific publications and over 100 expert opinions for ministries and economic entities in the area of geology, mining and waste management.

ECOBA

Dr.-Ing. Hans-Joachim Feuerborn, Secretary General of ECOBA, true pioneer in the world of industrial by-product valorization, he has been shaping the future of environmentally friendly and sustainable construction for decades.

With a background in Metallurgy and Material Science from Aachen Technical University, Dr. Feuerborn has focused his career on the reuse of industrial residues in construction materials. He has conducted research on binder materials and provided expertise on environmental strategies for coal-fired power plants. Beside his position as adviser for by-products from energy production in vgbe energy e.V., he acts as secretary of the European Coal Combustion Products Association (ECOBA) and of the World-Wide Coal Combustion Products (CCP) Network.

As a member of European standardization committees, he brings exclusive insights into the latest developments, innovations and market opportunities.

IMT NORD EUROPE 

David Bulteel, professor at IMT Nord Europe, with a PhD in physical chemistry, David has been a driving force at IMT Nord Europe since 2000, contributing to the Center for Teaching, Research, and Innovation of Materials and Processes. His work is deeply committed to shaping a more sustainable future for the construction industry.
His areas of expertise are both innovative and impactful:

The study of concrete durability, with a focus on alkali-silica reaction and sulfate attacks.
The valorization of industrial by-products in civil engineering and their environmental impact.
The development of low-carbon binders, particularly for 3D concrete printing, through the use of mineral additions such as slags, fly ashes, metakaolin, and calcined clays.
Take advantage of this exceptional opportunity to gain valuable insights, grow your network, and learn how industrial by-products and alternatives are transforming the construction industry.

Tomasz Szczygielski is a recognized expert in the processing and utilization of coal combustion products, with a distinguished career spanning research, innovation, and industry leadership.

As the Founder and President of the Polish Union of Coal Combustion Products (1993-2013) and Vice-President of the European Association ECOBA (2002-2006), he has played a key role in advancing sustainable solutions for coal ash management. He is actively involved in standardization efforts, contributing to the Technical Committee for Concrete at the Polish Committee for Standardisation and CEN Working Groups for Fly Ash in Concrete.

His research and publications include over 50 papers, 20 edited books, and co-authorship of several reports for the utility and industrial power sectors on waste management. His innovative contributions extend to three patents and pioneering concepts, such as Zero Waste Coal Power, Secondary First, and the Tefra Project. His work extensively covers circular economy applications in coal ash utilization.

An experienced conference organizer, he has led over 200 conferences, workshops, and training courses on environmental protection. He also founded and organized the inaugural EuroCoalAshConference in 2008 (Warsaw), reinforcing his commitment to knowledge exchange in the field.

His expertise focuses on coal ash utilization as a strategy towards climate neutrality and its classification within the REACH system as chemical substances, driving sustainable advancements in the industry.

Ioanna Papayianni – Papadopoulou is a distinguished expert in concrete and building materials technology, specializing in the use of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) such as fly ashes and slags to enhance concrete durability and longevity.

With a background in Chemistry and Civil Engineering and a PhD focusing on the utilization of calcareous fly ash in concrete, she has dedicated her career to advancing sustainable construction materials. She has been actively involved in the application of SCMs in concrete structures, promoting innovation in the field.

Her scientific contributions include membership in numerous national and international scientific committees, as well as leadership roles as President of non-profit associations, including EVIPAR and ACI Hellenic Chapter. She has also played a key role in the organization of major international conferences, such as ACI, EUROCOALASH, EUROSLAG, and EVIPAR.

As an educator and researcher, she has supervised 17 PhD theses and numerous Master’s theses while serving as the scientific coordinator for multiple research projects funded by Greek and European authorities. Her extensive body of work includes over 500 publications in scientific journals, conference proceedings, and book chapters, making her a leading voice in sustainable concrete technology.

LMDC TOULOUSE

Prof. Martin Cyr, Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Toulouse, to the scientific committee. A leading expert in materials science and civil engineering, he conducts groundbreaking research at LMDC (Laboratoire Matériaux et Durabilité des Constructions), driving innovation in sustainable construction.

His work is at the forefront of low-carbon binders and concretes, the recycling of industrial by-products, and the characterization of cementitious materials-tackling key challenges in durability, microstructure, and environmental impact. Passionate about transforming waste into resources, he leads multiple projects on the valorization of ash and slag, shaping the future of circular construction.

With over 30 PhD theses supervised and extensive collaborations with both industry and public institutions (European and French projects), Prof. Cyr’s influence extends beyond academia. His expertise also plays a key role in national and European standardization groups (P15A, P18B, P18C, TC104), as well as international committees like RILEM and fib.