What is the Plansee Seminar?
The Plansee Seminar is a science congress for experts from research, education, companies and industry. They all share an interest and passion for applications based on refractory and hard metals. And they come from all over the world - this year people from 25 nations have registered. The Plansee Seminar usually takes place every four years, this year from May 30 to June 3, 2022, and is traditionally held in Reutte, the main location and powerhouse of the Plansee Group.
A seminar thrives on scientific exchange - what is on offer here?
As of today, we have over 220 registrations for lectures and poster presentations. The lectures will be grouped into main topics and presented in the large conference room of Plansee in Reutte. Thereby, the topics refractory and hard metals will alternate in blocks. The posters will be accessible during all five seminar days. In order to present the posters in an appealing way, we are again building a temporary congress center on the visitor parking lot in front of the plant premises. In addition, there will be a "poster evening". Here, the posters will be presented, food and drinks will be served, and we will create the space and opportunity for professional exchange, meeting, discussion and networking.
Are there any main topics?
First of all, the focus on refractory and hard metal topics has shifted in favor of hard metals. In addition to the obligatory research results on materials and materials development, powder production and processing, and powder metallurgical processes such as pressing, sintering and forming, this year we see a continuing high level of interest in topics such as recycling of hard metals, additive manufacturing processes using different technologies, and new findings on topics such as coating and joining techniques. A fairly new field of research, also for our materials molybdenum and tungsten, is high-entropy alloys. These are materials consisting of several alloying elements with (almost) equal alloying proportions, which have the potential to enable completely new property profiles. Here we expect very exciting insights into the researchers' laboratories.
How many guests are expected at the Plansee Seminar in Reutte?
Corona, the war in Ukraine and travel restrictions, especially from China, are not leaving us unscathed. Therefore, this year we will certainly welcome fewer scientists, researchers, technicians and application experts from all over the world than in previous years. Nevertheless, we are pleased that there will be more than 300 participants despite these challenges. This shows the enormous attraction that the Plansee Seminar, 70 years after its founding, has worldwide.
What program highlights can be expected?
There are many technical highlights that I am personally looking forward to, but which are yet to be discovered and which may also be individual to each participant. Traditionally, the opening event on Monday morning is particularly interesting, and here I am looking forward to the following presentations: Hermann Walser will talk about sustainability aspects of refractory metals. Susanne Norgren will give an overview of new developments and applications in the world of hard metals. And Herbert Danninger will use the 20th edition of the Plansee Seminar as an opportunity for a scientific foray through the world of powder metallurgy over the past 70 years. Another highlight is the festive gala on Thursday evening.
How high is the participation of employees from the Group in the presentations?
The participation is quite impressive! 24 presentations at the Plansee Seminar are given by employees or were created with their participation. Thematically, the presentations cover all areas - hard metals, refractory metals, composites, and production and recycling. Here you can find the preliminary program: 20th Plansee Seminar
How long has the Plansee Seminar been around and has the focus changed?
The first Plansee Seminar was initiated by the founder of the Plansee Group, Paul Schwarzkopf, and took place in 1952. This year marks the 20th seminar. While the Plansee seminars used to be more broadly based (powder metallurgy in general), in recent years we have focused on refractory and hard metals produced by powder metallurgy. Herbert Danninger will give us an in-depth insight into the history of the Plansee Seminar in his presentation at the opening event.
What is the reputation of the Plansee Seminar in the international community?
You really have to ask the community! But we know from our surveys after the Plansee Seminar that the participants are very satisfied with the quality of the lectures and poster presentations and also with the supporting program and the friendly atmosphere. The bar is set very high here and we are doing everything we can to offer our scientific colleagues from all over the world a top-class and attractive event again this year.
