Name: ICRF 2026 - 5th International Conference on INGOT CASTING, ROLLING & FORGING
Start: 2026-10-13T08:15:00+02:00
End: 2026-10-15T13:00:00+02:00
Location: Hotel Caesius Terme & SPA Resort - Bardolino - Verona

Monday, 12 October 2026
Tuesday, 13 October 2026

08:15 Registration of attendees
Registration of attendees
08:15 - 09:00
09:00 Opening session
09:00 - 10:50
Room: Gardenia room
Contributions

09:20 Current Practices, Challenges and Industrial Perspectives in Modelling of Casting Processes - Michele De Santis (RINA Consulting - Centro Sviluppo Materiali SpA)

09:50 Manufacturing and Remelting Technologies - Matteo Marten-Perolino (AIM)

10:20 'Update on Special Steels, Titanium and Powder Metallurgy’ - Benedikt Blitz (SMR Premium GmbH)
10:50 Coffee break
Coffee break
10:50 - 11:20
Room: Exhibition area
11:20 Numerical Simulation, AI & Digital Innovation I
11:20 - 13:00
Room: Gardenia room
Contributions

11:20 Experimental determination of partition coefficients considering peritectic reactions and application to macro-segregation simulation in a large steel ingot - Shintaro Yano (Material technology laboratory, The Japan Steel Works, Ltd.)

11:40 Minimization of mould flux entrapment during ingot casting through CFD modelling - Yu-Chiao Lu (KTH Royal Institute of Technology)

12:00 Transition to synthetic casting fluxes in ingot casting area, Acciaierie Bertoli Safau case study: analysis of process variables and qualitative impact following the fly ash supply crisis. - Sara Busolini (Acciaierie Bertoli Safau)

12:20 Characterization of mould flux-originated non-metallic inclusions in ingot casting - Qingxin Xu (KTH Royal Institute of Technology)

12:40 A Multiphysics Front-Tracking Model for Thermochemical Evolution of Casting Powders during Ingot Casting - Noura BELAICHA (MinesParis - PSL - CEMEF)
13:00 Lunch
Lunch
13:00 - 14:00
Room: Benacus restaurant - 1st floor
14:00 Ingot casting and remelting I
14:00 - 15:40
Room: Gardenia room
Contributions

14:00 Features of the solidification of large ESR hollow ingots - Lev Medovar (CFHI, ELMET--ROLL)

14:20 Improving Ingot Quality Through Controlled Melt Flow: Industrial Application of Rotating Casting Mold (RCM) Technology - Thomas Holzgruber

14:40 Closing the quality Chain: Refractories and their Influence on Ingot Steel Quality - Anna-Lena Schäfer

15:00 A Novel Method to Regulate Non-metallic Inclusions by Pulsed Electric Current in Ultra-Low Carbon Steel and Industrial Practice - Yanzhao Luo (Shougang Research Institute of Technology)

15:20 Current challenges of fly ash-based casting fluxes - Falk Snatkin (Deutsch)
Rolling, Forging & Hot Deformation I
14:00 - 15:40
Room: Lilium+Iris room
Contributions

14:00 LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN ABRASIVE CUTTING AND GRINDING OF LARGE-SCALE FORGINGS - Norbert ASAMER (BRAUN Maschinenfabrik GmbH)

14:20 Weldability Investigation of Industrial Heavy Plate Steels for Pressure Vessels Designed for Mobile CO₂ Storage Applications - Andrei Filatov (NLMK DanSteel)

14:40 Latest developments in radial forging technology for titanium and nickel alloys - Martin Wolfgarten (SMS group GmbH)

15:00 Investigating & Understanding Hot Mill Back Up Roll Failures at Tata Steel India - UDAY SHANKER GOEL (TATA STEEL INDIA)

15:20 Controlling A‑Segregation in a 100‑Ton Hollow Steel Ingot via Liquid Nitrogen‑Air Core Cooling - Paixian Fu (Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences)
15:40 Coffee break
Coffee break
15:40 - 16:10
Room: Exhibtion area
16:10 Numerical Simulation, AI & Digital Innovation II
16:10 - 18:10
Room: Gardenia room
Contributions

16:10 Numerical simulation of carbon macrosegregation in large steel ingots - Anna Mantelli (University of Brescia)

16:30 Physics Based Modelling as an Enabler for Machine Learning Defect Prevention in Casting - Orlando Di Pietro (RINA Consulting - Centro Sviluppo Materiali SpA)

16:50 Using AI models to mould design, predict segregation, porosity and CET zone in steel ingots - Ovidiu Bogdan

17:10 Development of Industrial Processing Models for Prediction of Micro-segregation in Advanced Fusion Steels - Mikhail Trull (Sheffield Forgemasters)

17:30 Modeling Remelting and Solidification: An OpenFOAM-based Approach for ESR and VAR Processes - Matteo Gregori (RINA spa)

17:50 Hybrid Generative-Neurosymbolic AI for Explainable Quality Certification in Industrial Forging - Giacomo Bottoli
Rolling, Forging & Hot Deformation II
16:10 - 16:50
Room: Lilium+Iris room
Contributions

16:10 Hot workability of Ni-Fe high-temperature alloy. - Edgar Ivan Saldana-Garza (FRISA)

16:30 Role of Manganese and Sulphur Segregation in Hydrogen-Assisted Cracking and MnS Formation in Large Forged Steel Ingots - Carlo Mapelli (Dipartimento di Meccanica - Politecnico di Milano)
18:10 Poster session
18:10 - 18:40
Room: Exhibition area
Contributions

18:14 AI-Powered decision support system for early defects prediction in cast-iron products - Valentina Colla (Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna)

18:16 Automatization of Barkhausen noise measurements for high resolution quality evaluation of steel. - Patryk Rybicki (Gdańsk University of Technology)

18:18 Data-Driven Regression Modeling for Energy Efficiency Optimization in Industrial Induction Heating Processes - Roberto Fernandez Martinez (University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU))

18:20 Improvement of Product Quality and Production Efficiency through a Profile Straightening System - DİDEM KILIÇ OĞUROL (KARDEMİR ÇELİK SANAYİ AŞ.) CEYHUN KOZAK (KARDEMİR ÇELİK SANAYİ AŞ.)

18:22 Research on anti-deflection roll-bending process for longitudinal pipes with a large length-to-diameter ratio - Guoyi Shen (Key Laboratory of Advanced Forging & Stamping Technology and Science，Ministry of Education of China，Yanshan University; School of Mechanical Engineering, Yanshan University; National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Advanced Manufacture Forming Technology and Equipment，Yanshan University)

18:24 Intelligent surrogate model for the calibration of Hansel-Spittel flow stress model - Thanh Chung Nguyen (Framatome)
Welcome cocktail
Welcome cocktail
18:10 - 18:40
Room: Exhibition area
Wednesday, 14 October 2026
08:50 Numerical Simulation, AI & Digital Innovation III
08:50 - 10:30
Room: Gardenia room
Contributions

08:50 Discrete Particle Modelling of Inclusion Transport and Localization in Bottom-Poured Ingots - Arianna Gotti (Trasnvalor SA)

09:10 Optimization of Hot Rolling Processes Using Temperature-Dependent Ductile Damage Modelling - Chaouki TAHRI (ArcelorMittal)

09:30 Machine learning models to classify non-metallic inclusions in as-cast steel ingots - Mu Wangzhong (Lulea University of Technology)

09:50 Intelligent Integration of Reheating Furnace Control and Hot Rolling Process to Reduce Energy Losses and Delays in Steel Bar Manufacturing - Gulvir Singh (Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College, Ludhiana)

10:10 AI-Driven Surface Inspection Enabling Automated Grinding of Forged Ingots - Hannu Suopajärvi (Sapotech Oy)
Rolling, Forging & Hot Deformation III
08:50 - 10:30
Room: Lilium+Iris room
Contributions

08:50 Advanced Energy-Saving Technologies in Open Die Forging Presses: A Case Study on Press Upgrade - Luca Bertoldi (Sales Director)

09:10 Next-Generation Metal Forming: Utilizing the PMSD as a Universal Drive for Hydraulic Presses - Stefan Pahnke (Pahnke Systems)

09:30 Development of Linear Elastic and Elastoplastic Finite Element Solvers for Forging Simulation - Qi Liu (College of Mechanical Engineering. Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China)

09:50 Three-Roll Skew Rolling of Titanium/Steel Bimetallic Composite Tubes: Simulation and Experiment - Qingshan Ding (College of Mechanical Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China)

10:10 Efficient electrification of round steel bars heating during rolling process - Pello Jimbert (University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU)
10:30 Coffee break
Coffee break
10:30 - 11:00
11:00 Ingot casting and remelting II
11:00 - 12:40
Room: Lilium+Iris room
Contributions

11:00 Advanced Copper Solutions for Remelting Technologies - Christof Dratner (Dipl.-Ing., Dipl.-Wirt. Ing.)

11:20 PLASMA – Value add for metallurgical refining in VID-Processes - Henrik Franz

11:40 Effect of Cu addition on microstructure, mechanical properties, and Heat treatment response of in situ Al-15Mg2Si-4.5Si composite - Mohammed Kedir Mustofa (Indian Institute of Science Bangalore, Karnataka, India-560012)

12:00 White Spot Origins, their Impact on Critical Components, and a Pathway for Prevention using VARmetric - Eike Schmilinsky

12:20 Improving ingot casting technology - John Campbell (University of Birmingham, UK)
Numerical Simulation, AI & Digital Innovation IV
11:00 - 12:40
Room: Gardenia room
Contributions

11:00 A CAD/CAE Integrated Simulation Method for the Hydraulic System of Forging Presses Based on Model Parameter Mapping - Zhiqiang He (Yanshan University)

11:20 An ICME‑Enabled Digital Framework for Modeling of Microstructure Evolution during Industrial Steel Casting and Forging - Chunhui Luo (Swerim AB)

11:40 LEVERAGING DOWNSAMPLING AND EXPERT SYSTEMS FOR DATA-DRIVEN PROCESS OPTIMIZATION IN THE FORGING INDUSTRY - Georg Maier (voestalpine Böhler Edelstahl GmbH & Co KG)

12:00 Surrogate modeling of the cogging process in open die forging simulation - Gustav Häggström (Swerim AB)

12:20 Revitalizing Lifecycle Support for Heavy Forging Equipment – Modernization and Upgrade Strategies for Existing Manipulator Systems - Jörg Blum (DANGO & DIENENTHAL Maschinenbau GmbH)
12:40 Lunch
Lunch
12:40 - 14:00
14:00 Environment, Emissions & New Technologies
14:00 - 15:40
Room: Lilium+Iris room
Contributions

14:00 Heating Ingots with Oxyfuel and Hydrogen before Rolling and Forging - Joachim von Scheele (Linde GmbH)

14:20 Effects of Axial Feed Direction on Forged Shape in Mandrel-Less Incremental Forging of Circular Variable-Cross-Section Tube Ends - Takahiro Makiyama (Institute of Technologists)

14:40 Industrial trials with renewable dimethyl ether as fuel in an ingot reheating furnace - Gustav Häggström (Swerim AB)

15:00 Optimizing Induction Heating for Steel Billets: A Multiphysics Approach to Electrification and Decarbonization - Matteo Gregori (RINA Consulting – CSM S.p.a.)

15:20 Water Footprint Reduction in the Metallurgical Sector through Oily Emulsion Reuse and the WASM Method - Angelo Ferranti (Contec Industry)
Rolling, Forging & Hot Deformation IV
14:00 - 15:40
Room: Gardenia room
Contributions

14:00 Research on Pulsed Current-assisted Rolling Forming and Microstructure–Properties of Pure Titanium Ultra-thin Strips - Shufeng Wei (College of Mechanical Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China)

14:20 Heat Transfer Study in Descaling and Roll Cooling on Blooming Line - Milan Hnizdil (Brno University of Technology, Heat transfer and fluid flow laboratory, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering)

14:40 Extending SBQ Rolling to Large Diameters: Stainless and Special Steels from 3.75 to 16 inches at FRISA Steel - Alberto Vazquez

15:00 Extension and Application of Hot Workability Prediction Model in Thermomechanical Processing - SHUO GUO (Policlinico di Milano)

15:20 Shear and dynamic effects on hot deformation of Fe-25Mn-5Al-0.7C lightweight steel - Ruowei Li (Politecnico di Milano)
15:40 Coffee break
Coffee break
15:40 - 16:10
16:10 Numerical Simulation, AI & Digital Innovation V
16:10 - 17:50
Room: Lilium+Iris room
Contributions

16:10 A Combined Physics-Based and Artificial Intelligence Through-Process Modelling of Steel Production Path - Božidar Šarler (University of Ljubljana and Institute of Metals and Technology)

16:30 A dynamic permeability model based on real-time local solidification time for macrosegregation modeling in alloy directional solidification - Haoran Xu (Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

16:50 Digital Twin–Based Simulation Chain for Rail Manufacturing: Roll Pass Design, Head Hardening, and Straightening - Nikolay Biba

17:10 ESR simulation: prediction of quality and grain size for nickel based ingot - Cristian Viscardi (ECOTRE Valente srl)

17:30 Ingot uphill casting defect potential reasons and forecast by different approach and analysis. - Ferruccio Pastorino
Rolling, Forging & Hot Deformation V
16:10 - 17:50
Room: Gardenia room
Contributions

16:10 The Effect of the Slip Transition in the Rolling Deformation Zone on the Wear Behavior of Hot Rolling Work Rolls - Sunrui Tao

16:30 Two-Stage Descaling at PSM Plate Mill for High-Alloy Plates - Christian Redl (INTECO melting and casting technologies GmbH)

16:50 Rapid Interface Strengthening of Cold-Rolled Bimetallic Composite Strips via Electric Pulse Treatment - Xiaomiao Niu (Taiyuan University of Technology)

17:10 ECAI Omega: 2 machines in one! - Claudia Solari (AIM)
19:00 Conference dinner
Conference dinner
19:00 - 21:30
Thursday, 15 October 2026
08:40 Hot rolling I
08:40 - 10:20
Room: Lilium+Iris room
Contributions

08:40 Billet Welding Machine – Latest development description and real application results - Alberto Nardini

09:00 Danieli’s QSP-DUE®: Unlimited freedom for green HRC production - Andrea Canal

09:20 Concept to Operation: Digital Twin Integration and FEM Simulation in Horizon - Alberto Nardini

09:40 Investigation on the crack resistance and strength–ductility synergy of Ta-12W alloy via corrugated–flat warm rolling - Peng Li (Taiyuan University of Technology)

10:00 Intelligent heat treatment in line applications for hot rolling process - Alberto Nardini
Ingot casting and remelting III
08:40 - 10:20
Room: Gardenia room
Contributions

08:40 STAINLESS STEEL AND SPECIAL ALLOYS INGOTS. WHICH CASTING POWDER? - Marco Alloni (Prosimet S.p.A.)

09:00 ELECTROSLAG REMELTING: AN ADDITIVE APPROACH TO LARGE COMPOSITIONALLY HOMOGENEOUS AND COMPOSITE COMPONENTS MANUFACTURING - Ganna Stovpchenko (CFHI, UDUNT)

09:20 Vacuum Ingot Casting in the Modern Era: Plant Concepts, Process Optimization, and Performance - Alexander Weigl (Inteco melting and casting technologies GmbH)

09:40 Advances in the Production of Ultra-Clean Specialty Steels: Recent Strategies for Hydrogen Removal, Total Oxygen Reduction, and Nonmetallic Inclusion Control - Julio Espinoza

10:00 Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Novel Al–Cenosphere–MWCNT Composite Foams under Varying Strain Rate - Ravi Kumar (Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Karnataka, India-560012)
10:20 Coffee break
Coffee break
10:20 - 10:50
10:50 Heat Treatment
10:50 - 12:30
Room: Gardenia room
Contributions

10:50 Small-scale Experiments on the Recrystallization of alloy 718 and their Transferability to Industrial Production - Thomas Leitner (voestalpine BÖHLER Edelstahl GmbH & Co KG)

11:10 Qualification of Heat Treatment Cycle for a Forged blank in Ti-6Al-4V - Mattia Gianola

11:30 THE INDUSTRIAL IMPLEMENTATION OF A BURNER CAPABLE TO OPERATE IN PREHEATED AIR-FUEL MODE, OXY-FUEL MODE OR PREHEATED AIR-OXY-FUEL MODE - Antonio Di Mauro (Nippon Sanso Industrial)

11:50 Metallurgical Design of Forged Pipes and Connecting Parts - Ettore Anelli (Franchini Acciai SpA)

12:10 Effect of heat treatments on a "lean" chemical steel composition for cylinders - Andrea Di Schino (Dipartimento di Ingegneria, Università di Perugia, Via G. Duranti 93, 06125 Perugia, Italy)
12:30 Closing remarks

12:30 - 12:40
Room: Gardenia room