Sylvia Johnson Henry Colorado

[Image above] Sociedad Colombiana de Materials y Minerales president Henry Colorado and ACerS president Sylvia Johnson sign the memo of understanding to create the Pan American Ceramics Congress. Credit: ACerS

WESTERVILLE, Ohio, March 6, 2019—The American Ceramic Society (ACerS) has taken the lead in working with materials organizations and participants from South, Central, and North America to create a new conference, the Pan American Ceramics Congress (PACC). The goal of the new congress is to provide a forum for exchanging information on the current status and emerging trends of various technologies in the Americas.

PACC will bring together a wide variety of experts from academia, industries, and research institutes, and laboratories to discuss the current state-of-the-art and various technical challenges in research, development, engineering, manufacturing, and application of ceramic and glass materials. Organizers hope that this forum will serve as a global stage for exchanging information on the latest emerging technologies, and facilitate open dialogue and discussion with leading experts.

Presidents of ACerS, Sociedad Colombiana de Materiales y Minerales, ABCeram (the Brazilian Ceramics Association), and Argentine Technical Association of Ceramics have signed a memorandum of understanding to move forward in the planning of the first conference, anticipated for July 2020. Other materials organizations in Mexico and Chile have also expressed interest in joining the Congress.

Organizers envision that the PACC would be held every two years, similar to the Pacific Rim Conference on Ceramic and Glass Technology (PACRIM), which ACerS organizes with The Ceramic Society of Japan, the Korean Ceramic Society, the Chinese Ceramic Society, and The Australian Ceramic Society.

“ACerS is excited to be a part of this Congress and to serve the ceramics communities throughout the Americas with a meeting that will address topics relevant to industry and technology development,” ACerS president Sylvia Johnson said. “We are basing this meeting on the success of the PACRIM meetings, and are engaging ceramic and materials societies throughout North, Central and South America.”

“The Pan Am Ceramics Congress will be an excellent opportunity to meet peers of our region, join forces, and draw strategies for the development of ceramic materials with all the impact that this implies for our society and planet,” president of Sociedad Columbiana de Materials y Minerales Henry Colorado commented. “The Americas have important ceramics sources and a corresponding growing industry with specific needs in every country that can be addressed strategically for the benefit of the entire region. In the case of Colombia we are willing to participate and joining forces on this route with other ceramic and materials societies.”

ACerS president Sylvia Johnson and Sociedad Columbiana de Materials y Minerales president Henry Colorado. Credit: ACerS

The PACC’s technical program will consist of invited and contributed presentations and will cover wide-ranging topics such as:

  • Current trend and future directions for research and technology in ceramics and glass
  • Traditional ceramics manufacturing: challenges and opportunities
  • Advanced, green, and sustainable manufacturing
  • Ceramics in healthcare and infrastructure
  • Ceramics for energy, environment, and Infrastructure
  • Refractories and glass ceramics technologies
  • Overview of major ceramics efforts in the region
  • Ceramic art, archeology, and conservation in the Americas
  • Ceramic education, training, and knowledge management
  • Student and young professional forum

The location and dates for the first congress, expected to take place in July 2020, is yet to be determined, with several destinations in Mexico as frontrunners. ACerS will host the first PACC, with other founding partners to be designated as hosts in subsequent years.

About ACerS

Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society (ACerS) is the leading international professional membership organization for ceramic, glass, and materials scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, sales professionals, educators, and students. ACerS publishes refereed journals, periodicals, and books; organizes meetings and expositions; and offers technical information through web and print outlets. ACerS’ website (www.ceramics.org) provides online access to its journals, Ceramic Tech Today news blog, ACerS Bulletin membership magazine, videos, student and young professional career resources, and specialized technical knowledge. The Society serves over 11,000 members from more than 70 countries.

Media contact

Andrea Ross

Director, meetings and marketing

(614) 794-5820

Aross@ceramics.org

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