PRESS RELEASE: 2025 PRE Congress | 18-20 June | Ljubljana, Slovenia
The 2025 PRE Congress took place in Ljubljana, Slovenia, on 18-20 June 2025, and was kindly hosted by ZPOK - the Slovenian Refractory Producers Association and sponsored by RHI Magnesita.
More than 50 PRE members, executives from the refractory industry, and national associations from all over Europe, gathered in person to discuss relevant topics and key updates pertaining to the refractory industry at European level.
The Congress opened on Wednesday 18 June with the PRE Executive Committee, held to discuss administrative matters, priorities, and challenges in the upcoming period and mid- and long-term objectives. In the evening, participants enjoyed a welcome reception and buffet at the Hotel Grand Plaza.
To kick-start the second day of the Congress, Thursday 19 June, PRE Members participated in the PRE Economic Committee where internally and externally gathered data on refractories was shown.
This was followed by a keynote speech by Constantin Beelitz, who explored why innovation is not only necessary but inevitable for the future of the refractory sector.
The morning continued with a powerful session titled “Innovations through Diversity. Beyond Boundaries: Unlocking the Power of Diverse Teams.” Mojca Emeršič, Family Business Advisor and Talent Manager at EY Slovenia, and Lea Pfajfar Cotič, Global Learning Deployment Manager at EY Global, shared insights on how diversity enhances creativity, decision-making, and employee engagement within industrial organisations. They also discussed current trends in the sector and practical steps to foster more inclusive workplaces.
In the late morning session “From exploration to innovation,” participants heard from a distinguished panel of speakers who shared their perspectives on how cross-industry collaboration can lead to innovative solutions. The session featured Marjana Majerič (Executive Director for Strategic Development and Internationalisation, GZS), Katja Pokeržnik (Director, Koroška Chamber of Commerce and Industry; National Innovation Awards Coordinator), Nataša Vrhovec (Ministry of the Economy, Tourism and Sport), Tilen Sever (Innovation Project Lead, Steklarna Hrastnik), and Sandi Markon (CEO, Stroka.si Holding). Together, they explored real-life examples of innovation and crisis-driven transformation.
Following the Conference, each member took part in 3 workshops structured in a “World Cafe” format on the following topics:
Workshop 1: Case Studies and Interviews with Industry Leaders: Sharing stories of companies from different industries that successfully navigated crisis periods. Highlighting key takeaways and lessons learned.
Workshop 2: From exploration to innovation: Discussing inspiration from other industries that can lead to innovative solutions.
Workshop 3: Thinking Outside the Box: Creative Problem-Solving Techniques: Introducing methods and frameworks for fostering creativity and innovative thinking within teams.
The day concluded with a guided walking tour of Ljubljana’s historic old town and a gala dinner held inside the stunning Ljubljana Castle.
On Friday 20 June, the PRE General Assembly brought the Congress to a closing. Members gathered to review the past year’s achievements and define strategic priorities for the year ahead. The Assembly was opened with a keynote address by outgoing President Christian Meyre, who reflected on the key role of innovation and strategic foresight in maintaining Europe’s industrial resilience during times of highly volatile global context. The event also marked the handover of the presidency to Matthias Stalzer, who was warmly welcomed as the new President of PRE for 2026-2028. Cerame-Unie Director General Renaud Batier highlighted Cerame-Unie’s advocacy efforts on the new Cabinet of Commissioners, particularly in the context of the Clean Industrial Deal, where the voice of the refractory industry continues to play an essential role in shaping a supportive and forward-looking EU industrial policy framework.
A special highlight of the General Assembly was the announcement of the 2025 PRE Environmental Awards, which recognised outstanding initiatives for environmental responsibility and sustainability innovation within the refractory industry. The Gold Award was presented to RHI Magnesita Marktredwitz (Germany). The Silver Award went to Zakłady Magnezytowe Ropczyce (Poland). In a tie for Bronze, both Vesuvius Poland (Firing Opticlean Products) and Refratechnik Cement GmbH (Göttingen, Germany) were honoured for their impactful environmental contributions.
PRE extends its heartfelt congratulations to the winners and expresses its deepest gratitude to all speakers, sponsors, and participants. Special thanks go to ZPOK - the Slovenian Refractory Producers Association for delivering a truly inspiring Congress.