November 13 & 14 saw the Duplex World community meet at Ahoy Rotterdam to share knowledge, do business, and network in two days packed with opportunities. Following are some of the highlights of the event, which was co-located with Heat Exchanger World Europe.
Duplex World Conference & Expo 2024
In two bustling days of activities, the Duplex World community enjoyed a full conference program packed with expert speakers while also taking advantage of the exhibition of leading duplex manufacturers and suppliers. Held in combination with Heat Exchanger World Europe, the event brought together more than 1,100 participants, including 350 conference delegates representing 25+ countries, alongside 76 exhibitors from 22 countries.Technical conference
Duplex World conference has a reputation for being a high-quality technical program. However, there were also plenty of sessions catering for those without a technical background. Presentations on duplex applications, sustainability and many case studies provided practical experience and learning that delegates could absorb and apply at their work afterwards.
The conference was officially started by Conference Chairman, Dr Yassar Ghanimi from Andritz AG, with an insightful keynote address which looked at the use of duplex in the pulp and paper industry and process engineering.
Exhibition
On the exhibition floor, companies from around the globe showcased their products and services to the duplex and heat exchanger visitors and delegates. The spacious venue enabled exhibitors to display their wares to their best advantage. With plenty of end users and fabricators visiting the event this year, satisfaction was high amongst exhibitors on both sides of the hall.
John Houben honored with Duplex World Lifetime Achievement Award
John Houben, Global Principal Materials Engineer at ExxonMobil EMTEC, has been awarded the prestigious Duplex World Lifetime Achievement Award at the Duplex World Conference & Expo 2024.
The Award recognizes individuals who dedicate their careers to advancing materials knowledge and inspiring future generations. Honorees are lauded for broadening the global understanding of duplex and stainless steels and their versatile applications across many industries.
John Houben’s career spans over 35 years, during which he has become a leading authority in material selection, duplex stainless steel fabrication, corrosion prevention, failure analysis, troubleshooting, and welding for refineries and petrochemical plants. At ExxonMobil EMTEC, he is responsible for metallurgical optimization and surface engineering, leveraging his vast expertise to drive innovation and excellence.
John has been a cornerstone of the materials community, serving on the Duplex World and Stainless Steel World Steering Committees for over 25 years.
Exceptional networking
Duplex World is renowned for its networking opportunities, such as Happy Hours each day on the expo floor. The highlight was a ‘Roaring 20’s’ themed dinner at the iconic Hotel New York overlooking Rotterdam harbour.
Guests were welcomed into the elegant salon and bar where live music contributed to the relaxed atmosphere. As the dinner was attended by participants from both Duplex World and Heat Exchanger World, there were lots of introductions to be made. The synergy between these two events was evident throughout the two days.
Some of the speakers in action, left to right: Angela Philipp (Alleima), Daniel Cattin (Acciaierie Valbruna), Roger Francis (RF Materials), and Dr Yassar Ghanimi (Andritz AG)
This is an excerpt from Stainless Steel World Magazine, December 2024. Read the full article by clicking here.
Event sponsor
