ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

The transition towards a climate-neutral and resource-efficient industry requires innovative materials, functional surfaces, and smart manufacturing solutions capable of improving process efficiency, reducing environmental impact, and supporting industrial competitiveness.
This symposium will showcase recent advances achieved within European research and innovation projects funded by Horizon Europe, the Clean Hydrogen Partnership and the Research Fund for Coal and Steel (RFCS). The presented activities address key challenges of the green industrial transition through the development of advanced materials, functional coatings, PFAS-free membranes and innovative manufacturing approaches for energy and industrial applications.
Topics will include hydrogen barrier coatings for safe hydrogen infrastructures, anti-sticking coatings for low-carbon ironmaking, protective coatings for energy and water recovery systems, smart welding technologies for advanced steel manufacturing, and the development of sustainable PFAS-free materials for hydrogen technologies. A special focus will be given to how material design, surface treatments, process improvement, and manufacturing innovation can help increase performance, durability, and efficient use of resources.
By bringing together experiences from multiple European projects, the symposium aims to demonstrate how advanced materials and smart manufacturing can contribute to cleaner industrial processes, support the objectives of the European Green Deal, and accelerate the transition towards a more sustainable and resilient European industry.