3rd Westerwald Industry Colloquium: Process Efficiency and Resource Conservation in Ceramic Manufacturing
On 3–4 November 2026, more than 80 experts from the ceramics industry gathered in Ransbach-Baumbach/DE, for the 3rd Westerwald Industry Colloquium. The event brought together representatives from ceramic raw material suppliers, silicate and advanced ceramics manufacturers, and ceramic processing technology specialists. With the focus on “Efficient Processes: Balancing Innovation, Cost Savings and Resource Conservation”, the discussions centred on enhancing manufacturing efficiency, minimising energy and raw material usage, and implementing innovative technologies across the entire ceramic production chain.
The programme also included the presentation of the cfi Award, sponsored by Göller Verlag GmbH, the publisher of the magazine cfi Ceramic Forum International. This award recognises the most impressive technical presentations delivered during the colloquium. Ulrich Göller (CEO of Göller Verlag GmbH) and Ulrich Werr (Editor-in-Chief of cfi magazine) represented the sponsor.
- Matthias Hausmann (ESK-SIC GmbH) won first prize for his presentation, “Tailor-Made Ceramic Raw Materials Through Recycling: A Silicon Carbide Case Study”. In his presentation, he addressed the recycling of silicon carbide and its potential for producing tailored ceramic raw materials.
- Moritz von Scherenberg (August Lücking GmbH & Co. KG) won second prize for his presentation, “Operational Data as the Key to Efficiency: How AI is Transforming Energy-Intensive Processes”. He presented a long-term project demonstrating how operational data and AI can improve the efficiency of energy-intensive manufacturing processes such as ceramic production.
- Third prize went to Helen Eschenauer (FGK Höhr-Grenzhausen) for “Optimising Debinding and Sintering Processes Using Simulation”. Stepping in at short notice for an unwell colleague, she discussed the practical applications of simulation in ceramic manufacturing.
The jury comprised Dr Alena Stein (FGK Höhr-Grenzhausen), Daniela Hesky (IAB Weimar), Dr Markus Zwick (Inmatec Technologies GmbH) and Ulrich Werr (Göller Verlag).
The next Westerwald Industry Colloquium is scheduled for 23–24 November 2027 in Ransbach-Baumbach, Germany.