Round-up: 24th AFCM Technical Symposium & Exhibition

The 24^th AFCM Technical Symposium & Exhibition took place in Hanoi, Vietnam, on 21 – 24 April 2015, guided by the Vietnam National Cement Association (VNCA) as the Steering Committee. The event brought together leading players in the regional and international cement industry, with a three-day conference programme comprising 22 technical papers. Delegates also had the opportunity to learn more about the products and services offered by major suppliers in the exhibition area, which featured 44 booths.

Traditional singing and dancing performances took place at the closing dinner.

The theme of this year’s symposium was ‘Upgrading Technology for a Sustainable Development.’ This focus was reinforced in the opening remarks of AFCM Technical Coordinator, Dr Ernesto M. Ordonez, who encouraged participants to learn more about the latest sustainable technologies via the papers and interaction with exhibitors, and to take this information back home to share with their colleagues.

International and local exhibitors showcased their technology and services at the event.

The symposium was well attended, with high quality papers throughout. The presentations discussed technical innovations in grinding, materials handling, refractories, filtration, lubrication, loading and more, as well as case studies from cement plants in the region. A paper by the Vietnam Cement Industry Corporation (Vicem) on cashew nut shell as a partial anthracite coal replacement at the Vicem Binh Phuoc plant, an outline of sustainability achievements and targets at Holcim Vietnam, and an overview of the installation of an FLSmidth OK mill at the Tuban plant in Indonesia, were among the highlights of the symposium.

Cement experts from around the world presented papers at the Symposium.

Delegates were treated to traditional Vietnamese entertainment and hospitality during the welcome cocktails and networking dinner, and had the chance to experience more of the local culture on a tour of the Bat Trang Pottery Village. The event finished in spectacular style with participants gathering for dinner in the hotel gardens, overlooking a lake lit by hanging lanterns.

Photos from the event can be found on World Cement’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/worldcement.

Written by Louise Fordham

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/asia-pacific-rim/29052015/round-up-afcm-2015-hanoi-919/