The International Committee for the Study of Bauxite, Alumina, and Aluminium (ICSOBA) is proud to announce the 43rd InteInternational Conference and Exhibition, which will be held from October 26 to October 31 2025 in Nanning, Guangxi Province, China.
TThis marks the third time that ICSOBA will take place in China, and the very first time in Guangxi.
The conference will adopt a hybrid format, with the in-person event hosted in Nanning and a real-time broadcast available for delegates unable to attend physically. However, all ICSOBA presenters are expected to travel to China to deliver their presentations on-site.
We extend our sincere gratitude to Chinalco for their generous support as the Host Sponsor of the event.
Featuring 4 keynote sessions and over 250 technical papers, the ICSOBA 2025 conference is designed as a 4-day technical event, followed by a full day dedicated to technical field trips.
Additional events in connection with ICSOBA 2025 in Nanning will be announced at a later stage.
We look forward to seeing you all at ICSOBA 2025!
ICSOBA 2025 will place a strong emphasis on addressing the critical challenges facing the aluminium industry across the entire value chain, from bauxite mining to smelter casting operations.
The conference will delve into key topics, including:
Innovation and new technologies will be at the heart of the discussions.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to engage with international experts, scientists, engineers, technology providers, equipment manufacturers, and key players from the global aluminium industry.
The hybrid format of the conference ensures that you can participate whether you travel to Nanning or join from home. Here’s what distinguishes on-site participation from online participation:
This hybrid approach ensures an inclusive and enriching experience for all attendees, regardless of their location.
Presentations will be delivered in both English and Chinese, with simultaneous translation provided to ensure accessibility for all attendees. All papers and presentations in English will be published and made available for download in PDF format on the ICSOBA website. Additionally, the papers will be indexed on platforms such as Google Scholar and ResearchGate, complete with DOI references.
As an optional resource, a printed proceedings book (TRAVAUX, Vol. 54, English) will be available after the conference.
To facilitate the submission process, the ConfTool App has been specially customized for the ICSOBA 2025 Conference. It is fully accessible in China and supports submissions in both Chinese and English.
TRAVAUX
Due to the very large number of papers for this year’s conference, we do not plan to print a conference proceedings book. The Travaux volumes and individual papers of 2025 conference will be published in the Proceedings section on the website. Please click here to follow: ICSOBA Proceedings section
The latest technologies, equipment, and devices for the aluminium industry will be showcased during the conference.
The exhibition will be held at the Howard Johnson Hotel, in the lobbies adjacent to the conference rooms, from 27 to 31 October (4 days), running concurrently with the conference. This dedicated Exhibition space will also include areas for B2B meetings and discussions.
Approximately 20 to 26 exhibitor booths will be available, each offering 6 m² of space equipped with tables and chairs. Each booth will include a power supply and Wi-Fi access in accordance with the official floor plan. Due to the limited number of exhibition spaces, reservations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
The cost for each booth is USD 3 500. Please note that all exhibitors must register separately for the conference to access conference sessions and related activities. A storage room/space may be made available at the venue for exhibitors wishing to ship materials in advance.
Exhibitors who also choose to become sponsors will receive exclusive benefits and discounts.
Moreover, exhibitors will benefit from enhanced visibility through the Conference App and website.
For more information about the exhibition, please contact Dr. Bijoy Satpathy at bijoy.satpathy@icsoba.org.
The 1st Circular covers most of up-to-date information of the conference preparation including Conference venue and hotel booking instructions, registration fees and visa support, program highlights and Keynote speakers, information about ICSOBA 2025 President / Vice-President and the IFCURM Meeting.
The draft conference program at a Glance shows the principle arrangement of the program and preliminary list of paper including presenting authors. The program will be updated after completion of registration of all presenters in the middle of September.
At this stage, the Organizing Committee is carrying out the technical review of the papers with the aim of keeping with the high ICSOBA standards and inviting submission of presentations.
The Conftool System https://www.conftool.net/icsoba2025 is to be used to upload your presentation and working with reviewer to finalise your paper.
Please use the ICSOBA 2025 Presentation Template when making your presentation.
With 13 keynote papers presented in 4 keynote sessions and over 240 technical papers, the ICSOBA conference is planned as 4-day technical conference arranged in 5 streams followed by one full day for technical field trips.
Kang Yi，Professor-level Senior Engineer; formerly Manager of Qingtongxia Aluminium Smelter, Deputy General Manager of China Nonferrous Metals Industry Corporation, and President of China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association.
Dr Liu Wanchao is the general manager of Zhengzhou Nonferrous Metals Research Institute Co., Ltd of CHINALCO, the executive director of the China Nonferrous Metals Society Light Metals Division. He is primarily engaged in the research of resource comprehensive utilization and environmental protection technologies in the aluminium industry.
He has achieved a series of industrialized technological advancements in areas such as the utilization of red mud, hazardous waste management from aluminium electrolysis, treatment of metallurgical flue gas, and carbon emission management.
Li Jie is a Level-2 Professor and PhD supervisor at Central South University, a specially appointed professor under the “Changjiang Scholars Program,” and Director of the National Engineering Research Center for Low-Carbon Nonferrous Metallurgy. He has long been dedicated to research and industrial application in intelligent and digital metallurgy (aluminium electrolysis).
He has published over 600 academic papers, holds more than 380 authorized invention patents, and has received 3 National Science and Technology Progress Awards and 8 First Prizes for Science and Technology Progress at the provincial or ministerial level.
Ron joined China Hongqiao Group in January 2020, following 11 years as Secretary General of the International Aluminium Institute (London). Previous roles include Executive Director of the Australian Aluminium Council (2002 to 2008), Chief Executive of the World Coal Institute London (1997 to 2001) and senior positions with the Minerals Council of Australia (1987 to 1996). Prior to these appointments, Ron was an economist with the Australian Government (1976 to 1987). Ron is an Australian with a small beef cattle farm in Australia.
China Hongqiao Group is one of the largest fully integrated aluminium company in the world with extensive activities along the whole production chain, based on major direct investments and long-term strategic partnerships. Production is dominated by operations in China, combined with key resource developments in Indonesia and Guinea.
China Hongqiao attaches great importance environmental protection, energy conservation and sustainable development. with clean green production and higher value products as core business goals. China Hongqiao seeks to continuously improve the full industrial chain by building unique aluminium industry clusters. Central to the industrial cluster philosophy is the development of surrounding enterprises and the cities in which the plants are located.
Bing Jiang is the Director of the Industry Information Centre at Sunstone Development Co., Ltd. With 20 years of experience in the prebaked anode industry for aluminium, he specializes in strategic analysis, policy insights, market trends, and price modelling. Bing maintains close collaboration with leading global aluminium companies and international consultancies. His supply-demand assessments and cost models are widely acknowledged, making him a key contributor and witness to the development of China's anode industry.
Bing Jiang is the Director of the Industry Information Centre at Sunstone Development Co., Ltd. With 20 years of experience in the prebaked anode industry for aluminium, he specializes in strategic analysis, policy insights, market trends, and price modelling. Bing maintains close collaboration with leading global aluminium companies and international consultancies. His supply-demand assessments and cost models are widely acknowledged, making him a key contributor and witness to the development of China's anode industry.
Miles Prosser is the Secretary General of the International Aluminium Institute (IAI), the only body that represents the aluminium industry at the global level. With more than twenty years’ experience working on various industry policy issues, Miles brings in-depth knowledge on resource allocation, sustainability and climate change.
Miles joined the IAI from the Australian Aluminium Council, where he served as Executive Director for more than ten years. He leads the IAI to promote the unique and valuable properties of aluminium in sustainable development. He holds an honours degree from the Australian National University. He is a member of the Institute of Directors in London.
Mr. Chunming Dong serves as General Manager of Sunlight Metal Consulting (Beijing) Co., Ltd, Advisor of ASI, China Coordinator for the Global Aluminium Foil Rollers Initiative (GLAFRI), and Founder of the China Magnesium Network. Mr. Dong previously held positions at the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association (CNIA) and Antaike, where he was responsible for aluminium and magnesium market intelligence and industry research.
In 2006, he founded Sunlight Metal, specializing in industrial and market research, consulting, and business services for aluminium and magnesium, serving numerous domestic and international enterprises and institutions. He concurrently engages in public advocacy for the aluminium and magnesium industries, disseminating information on sustainability, and facilitating international exchanges and cooperation across the industrial chain.
Sébastien Fortin is currently Principal Advisor Research and Development for Bauxite and Alumina in the Strategy & Innovation team of Rio Tinto’s Arvida Research Centre in Canada. He obtained his PhD in chemistry nearly 25 years ago and has been with the company’s Bauxite and Alumina R&D division ever since, in various scientific, managerial and strategic roles. He complemented this with 3 years in operations at the QAL refinery in Australia. In October 2024, he was appointed Chairman of the International Aluminium Institute’s Bauxite and Alumina Committee, and that is in this role that he will speak.
Lance Myers is the Development Program Manager in Alcoa's Operational Excellence COE in Western Australia. He graduated with Honours in Chemistry from the University of Western Australia in 1998 and joined Alcoa as a Research Chemist. Over his 26-year career at Alcoa Lance has focused on refining technology development, taking on both scientific and managerial roles.
He earned a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Western Australia in 2009, and in October 2024 was appointed Vice-Chair of the International Aluminium Institute’s Bauxite and Alumina Committee.
Yang Cao has over 10 years of experience in the aluminium sector. He is the editor of the aluminium weekly tracker and senior research analyst at Fastmarkets. Yang holds a master’s degree from the University of York and is a Chartered Financial Analyst.
NFC/NEUI is an important technology supplier and service provider in China's aluminum industry, making significant contributions to the rapid development of the industry and the large-scale and low-carbon development of core technology equipment. As one of the early companies in the global aluminum industry to develop and apply 600 kA aluminum reduction cell technology, NFC/NEUI has widely applied NEUI600 technology in domestic capacity replacement projects and overseas capacity
construction.
As of the end of 2024, a total of 15 potlines have been applied, with a total capacity of 6 180 ktpa. Following the first successful 600 kA potline in Weiqiao smelter at the end of 2014, the longest operating time has been over 10 years, the highest amperage can reach 630 kA or above, and rich experience in design, construction and operation has been accumulated.
Yang Cao has over 10 years of experience in the aluminium sector. He is the editor of the aluminium weekly tracker and senior research analyst at Fastmarkets. Yang holds a master’s degree from the University of York and is a Chartered Financial Analyst.
Sameer Nayak is the President & Cluster Head of Hindalco Industries Ltd , Renukoot , India which operates an Integrated Aluminium complex having a 410 ktpa Smelter, 830 MW Captive power plant, 720 ktpa Alumina Refinery and Fabrication plants (Rolled and extrusion plants). He has rich experiences in Metals and Mining and Power sector. He specializes in streamlining Operations of Big plants and has rich experiences in Projects erections and commissioning of Mega Projects.
He has made significant contributions to the business across plants improving volumes, productivity, quality and reliability and is passionate about driving safety and sustainability at plants. He is a Mechanical Engineering Graduate and has 28 years of Industry experience mostly in Metals and Power.
During the conference, two technical field trips will be hosted by Chinalco, one of the world’s largest aluminium producers. Participants will have the unique opportunity to visit bauxite mining sites, an alumina refinery, and a smelter.
Founded: 2015
Guangxi Hualei New Material Co., Ltd. is an integrated enterprise specializing in primary aluminium production, power generation, and aluminium processing. The company employs advanced technology and operational best practices to ensure high standards of efficiency, environmental performance, and product quality.
The smelter is located about 130 km from Nanning, a trip of just under two hours by bus.
Established: 2002
The Guangxi Branch of Chinalco is a state-of-the-art production facility with an annual output of 6 million tonnes of bauxite and 2.5 million tonnes of alumina. It stands as one of China’s most advanced and innovative production bases.
The refinery is located approximately 130 km from Nanning, a trip of just under two hours by bus. Tours include the alumina refinery and the red mud iron recovery site.
The red mud iron recovery site is China’s first industrialized project to recover iron concentrate from red mud, placing it at the forefront of the industry.
To register, please use ConfTool https://www.conftool.net/icsoba2025/ which is customized for the ICSOBA 2025 Conference.
Conference fee structure | up to 31/7 | 1/8 - 15/9 | 16/9 - 10/10 | 10/10 - 20/10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conference | ||||
| Speaker (need to register before 15/09) | 1200 US$ | 1200 US$ | n/a | n/a |
| Corporate Speaker | 1080 US$ | 1080 US$ | n/a | n/a |
| Participant | 1200 US$ | 1400 US$ | 1700 US$ | 2100 US$ |
| Corporate participant | 1080 US$ | 1260 US$ | 1530 US$ | 1890 US$ |
| Student, Retired | 500 US$ | 500 US$ | 600 US$ | 800 US$ |
| Exhibitor participant | 1080 US$ | 1260 US$ | 1530 US$ | 1890 US$ |
| Exhibitor only | 600 US$ | 700 US$ | 850 US$ | 1050 US$ |
| Online participant | 500 US$ | 500 US$ | 500 US$ | 500 US$ |
| Online corporate participant | 450 US$ | 450 US$ | 450 US$ | 450 US$ |
Optional Events | ||||
| Tue 28/10 social event | 50 US$ | 50 US$ | 50 US$ | 50 US$ |
| Wed 29/10 social event | 50 US$ | 50 US$ | 50 US$ | 50 US$ |
Field trips | ||||
| Refinery visit return trip | 100 US$ | 100 US$ | 150 US$ | 250 US$ |
| Smelter visit return trip | 100 US$ | 100 US$ | 150 US$ | 250 US$ |
Refund policy | ||||
| Refund | Full refund less 50$ administrative fees | 25% refund | ||
| Registration automatic cancellation | 24/07 | 08/09 | 03/10 | 10/10 |
• ICSOBA is expecting all participants to pay the conference fee when they register through the provided online payment option within ConfTool.
• If the registration fee is not paid at the corresponding period (Early bird, Regular, Late, Last minute) end date, registration for the conference will be automatically cancelled, unless a special agreement with the organizers is made.
• Participants will receive a reminder of this open payment one week before the corresponding deadline.
ICSOBA understands there could be circumstances when a participant who has paid his/her conference fee must cancel his/her conference participation. To be consistent with ICSOBA’s encouragement to early registration, an enhanced refund policy has been defined:
• A cancellation received by ICSOBA (info@icsoba.org) more than two weeks before the opening date of the conference (i.e. received before October 10, 2025) will lead to a full refund of the total amount paid (conference fee plus optional registration), minus 50 USD processing fee.
• A cancelation received by ICSOBA (info@icsoba.org) after October 11, 2025 will lead to 25 % refund of conference fee paid.
Please check if a visa is needed for your trip. Then, when registering in ConfTool, choose to receive an invitation letter from CHINALCO for obtaining your visa for China. You will be able to download the visa process directly from ConfTool and will then need to send the written request directly to CHINALCO. A participation letter for your employer is also available from ConfTool if required..
It wouldn’t be possible to organize the event without the strong support of our sponsors. Please pay tribute to their continuous support to ICSOBA by visiting their websites:
As you know, organizing a conference of this magnitude would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors.
We are honored to have Chinalco as the Host Sponsor for this year’s conference. Together, ICSOBA and Chinalco warmly invite bauxite, alumina, and aluminium producers, as well as industry partners from China and around the world, to participate in ICSOBA 2025 in Nanning and become conference sponsors.
ICSOBA conference, “The technology Conference of the Aluminium Industry, for the Aluminium Industry”, gives opportunity to your Company to maximize its exposure to the primary aluminium decision makers and influencing technologists.
Please consult the Sponsors Fees and Benefit which illustrates the different options for on-site benefit but also through the Whova application, which will be used both by the on-site and the online delegates.
If you are willing to support ICSOBA activities and to showcase your Company at ICSOBA 2024, feel free to contact claude.vanvoren@icsoba.org for any further information.
Connect to ICSOBA newsroom!
Tian Yongzhong previously held key executive positions within the Chinalco group, including Deputy General Manager of Chinalco Ningxia Energy Group, Vice President of China Copper Co., and Chairman of Yunnan Copper Co. Throughout his career, he has been deeply involved in financial management, economic performance analysis, and corporate operations, giving him extensive hands-on management experience. He is known for fostering collaboration and demonstrating strong leadership across the aluminium and copper industries. He holds a Master’s degree in Accounting from Xi’an Jiaotong University and is a certified Senior Accountant.
For over 30 years, Mr. He has devoted his entire career to the aluminium industry, demonstrating unwavering dedication since he began his work in 1990. Rising through the ranks of CHALCO, he has held key leadership positions across the company’s operations – from managing carbon production in Qinghai to leading the Liancheng branch and serving as Chairman of Lanzhou Liancheng Aluminum Co., Ltd. He also spearheaded CHALCO Group’s corporate initiatives in operations optimization and management innovation, underscoring a lifelong commitment to efficiency and progress in the industry. Beyond his core roles at CHALCO, Mr. He has served as a Director of China Rare Earth Group Co., Ltd. and as a Supervisor of China Aluminum International Engineering Corporation Limited, extending his leadership influence into related sectors.
ICSOBA has set up a Joint Organisation Committee with Zhengzhou Research Institute of Chinalco to ensure smooth coordination.
| ICSOBA | ZRI/CHINALCO |
|---|---|
| Mr Bernard Allais | Mr Liu Wanchao |
| Mr Matthieu Arlettaz | Ms Yan Kun |
| Dr Claude Vanvoren | Ms Du Tingting |
| Mr Yang Hao | |
| Ms Chen Shouhui |
Paper review is made by lCSOBA Technical Committee under the leadership of the Program Directors Dagoberto Severo and Subject Organizers, joined this year by Chinese representatives Li Jie, Chen Kaibin, Liu Wanchao and Subject Organizers from Chinese Aluminium Industry. They are supported by a team of more than 60 reviewers representing the global aluminium industry.
The subject organizers are:
| Subject | Non-Chinese Organizer(s) | Chinese Organizer(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Keynotes | Stephan Broek, Michel Reverdy | Li Jie, Chen Kaibin, Liu Wanchao |
| Bauxite, Alumina, Bauxite Residue | Andrey Panov, Sébastien Fortin, Thymis Balomenos | Qi Lijuan, Guo Xin, Li Yu, Zhang Tingan, Yang Huibin, Li Guihua, Li Zhiguo, Lv Guozhi, Liu Zhongkai, Liu Xiaoming |
| Aluminium Electrolysis | Vinko Potocnik, Claude Ritter | Wang Huaijiang, Liu Fengqin, Liang Xuemin, Zhang Yanan, Yan Feiya, Gao Bingliang |
| Carbon | Francesco Baccalà | Luo Yingtao, Xiao Jin, Zhong Qifan |
| Casthouse Operation | Joseph Langlais | Zhang Jiao, Su Peng |
Connect to ICSOBA newsroom!
Aluminum Corporation of China Limited (Chinalco).
Established on September 10, 2001, Chinalco is a holding subsidiary of the Aluminum Corporation of China and is the world’s largest producer and supplier of alumina, aluminum, fine alumina, high-purity aluminum, and aluminum anodes.
As a global leader in the aluminum industry, Chinalco stands out with its comprehensive industrial chain. Its operations span a wide range of sectors, including mineral resource exploration, alumina and aluminum production, aluminum alloys, carbon anodes, coal production, high-tech development, international trade, material supply, logistics, energy, and power.
Chinalco is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (December 2001), New York Stock Exchange (December 2001), and Shanghai Stock Exchange (April 2007). Its A-shares are included in the MSCI China A Onshore Index, and its H-shares are part of the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index.
Recognized for its strong financial standing, Fitch Ratings has consistently assigned Chinalco an A- rating, the highest in the global non-ferrous metal sector. Additionally, Chinalco has achieved an A-level rating for information disclosure on the Shanghai Stock Exchange for four consecutive years and is listed in the “SOEs ESG • Pioneer 50 Index.”
As of the end of 2022, Chinalco managed assets worth 212.3 billion yuan and employed over 68 000 people. It also oversees two publicly listed companies: Yunnan Aluminum Co., Ltd. (000807) and Yinxing Energy Co., Ltd. (000862).
Nonferrous Metals Society of China (NFSOC).
Founded in 1984, the Nonferrous Metals Society of China (hereinafter referred to as NFSOC or the Society) has 45 branches, and has maintained business contacts with 17 local nonferrous metal societies, with 317 group members, more than 30 000 individual members, and 19 kinds of scientific and technical journals sponsored by itself.
NFSOC was awarded as one of the 100 Science and Technology Volunteer Service societies and Excellent Group of Innovation-driven Projects, etc. by China Association for Science and Technology, and was selected as a first-class society construction project with Chinese characteristics. In 2023, it was approved as a 4A society of the Ministry of Civil Affairs.
Focusing on pioneering and innovating from the aspects of academic exchanges, journals, popularization of science, talent recommendation, etc., adhering to the purpose of "serving the development of the industry and promoting scientific and technological progress", the Society has become to an important social force to promote the high-quality development of China's non-ferrous metals science and technology.
For more information please contact
us at info@icsoba.org
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