Refractory products are a vital element in all high-temperature processes, such as metals making, the production of cement, petrochemical processes, glass and ceramics. Without refractories there would be no cars, no planes, no trains, no gas or electricity and we would be eating from wooden plates and living in mud-brick huts.

PRE, the European Refractories Producers Federation, is the representative organisation of the European refractory industry, located in Brussels. It was founded in 1953 and offers a European platform on which its members can exchange views and experiences of common interest.

PRE has no commercial aim. In the scope of EU legislation and standardisation, our mission is to promote the interests of European Refractory Producers. The activities of the federation are aimed at achieving these purposes through working with the European institutions (European Commission, European Parliament and the Council), and a wide range of stakeholders such as the European Committee for Standardization (CEN), the confederation of European businesses (BUSINESSEUROPE) and other EU associations such as Eurofer (steel industry), CEMBUREAU (cement industry), CEFIC (chemical industry), IMA-Europe (industrial minerals), Euromines (European mining industry), etc.

PRE is a member of Cerame-Unie, representing the European ceramics industry. Through Cerame-Unie the interests and concerns common to the whole of the ceramics industry are communicated to the European institutions.

At the global level, PRE is a Principal Member of UNITECR – United International Technical Conference of Refractories meeting. PRE also holds the Secretariat for the World Refractories Association (WRA). This platform facilitates discussions on regulatory issues, statistical gathering, and analysis and promotion of the industry across the world.

© 2018 by World Refractories Association. All rights reserved.

NEWS

2021 PRE CONGRESS | October 2021 | Madrid, Spain

18 October 2021

The PRE Congress took place this year on 13-15 October in Madrid, Spain. It was hosted by by Asociación Nacional de Fabricantes de Productos Refractarios, Materiales y Servicios Afines (ANFRE) and co-organised by PRE.

For the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, around 70 PRE members, executives from the refractory industry and national associations from all over Europe gathered in person for a 3-day Congress to discuss important information and key updates pertaining to the refractory industry at the European level.

POSTPONEMENT | 2020 PRE Congress | October 2021

2 April 2020

Due to the exceptional circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak, the PRE Executive Committee of 19 March 2020 adopted the decision to postpone the 2020 PRE Congress (originally scheduled for 3-5 June 2020, in Madrid, Spain) to October 2021. 

Further details regarding the 2021 PRE Congress, such as programme, online registration form, venue, accommodation and additional information, will follow in due time.

We thank you for your understanding.

PRE COVID-19 Position Statement

30 MARCH 2020

PRE released its COVID-19 position statement on 30 March 2020, The statement emphasizes the role of refractories as an essential industry. The temporary closing of non-essential businesses to keep COVID-19 from spreading are creating challenges for many countries and across many industries. Governing bodies need to recognize refractories as a critical industry that must continue to operate. Refractories play a critical role in the daily operations of almost every sector of manufacturing. These ceramic materials are essential for all heat-intensive production processes. Without refractories, important industries and the products they produce would not exist.

POSITION STATEMENT BY WRA IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19

27 MARCH 2020

On 27 March 2020, the World Refractories Association (WRA) released a position statement on the role of refractories as an essential industry. In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic, the temporary closing of non-essential businesses and other efforts to keep COVID-19 from overwhelming hospital and healthcare facilities are creating challenges for many countries and across many industries. Governing bodies must keep essential businesses open that support health systems operations and guarantee public safety and national security. Refractories should be recognized as a critical industry that must continue to operate in a safe and responsible manner. Refractories play a critical role in the daily operations of almost every sector of manufacturing.