The conference of the European Ceramic Society, which took place in Lyon from July 2 to July 6, 2023, also set a new record with 1320 participants. With more than 30 participants from research institutions and industry, Austria was once again well represented. LITHOZ was one of the platinum sponsors of the conference, together with Anton Paar. Numerous lectures and posters were presented by our members.

From the point of view of the Austrian Ceramic Society, however, the Student Speech Contest was the most important event of this conference. Out of 22 applicants, the candidate Abdullah Jabr from the Chair for Structural and Functional Ceramics at the Montanuniversität Leoben, who was nominated by our society, received the highest rating and was awarded first prize. This is the second win in a row achieved by an Austrian candidate. So far, only nominees from the Dutch Ceramic Society have succeeded in doing this. In addition to the recognition of the undoubtedly excellent personal achievements of Abdullah Jabr and his valuable talents, this award is also a confirmation of the quality of education at our universities and an acknowledgement of the activities of the Austrian Ceramic Society.

Furthermore, special achievements in research and work for the national society as part of the European Ceramic Society were recognized at this conference. For this reason, our board members Tanja Lube from the Montanuniversität Leoben and Klaus Reichmann from Graz University of Technology have been promoted to “Fellows of the European Ceramic Society”.