Delegates from academia, research institutes and industry are going to present their latest results and define the needs for future developments. This is done in sessions with oral and poster presentations, with ample opportunities for discussion.
The program includes topics varying from fundamental studies and advanced analytical techniques, up to pyrolysis applications in a commercial setting. The conference is not limited merely to applied biomass pyrolysis for renewable energy; it will also be dedicated for a significant part to the thermal decomposition of materials like coal, plastics, polymers, and composites. Products of pyrolysis can be used for (renewable) fuels and advanced materials; valuable green chemicals can be extracted or synthesized from them and, if properly characterized, they can lead to identification of the parent material.
It is the first time that Belgium is hosting the PYRO conference. Previous conferences were held in France (3), Germany (3), Spain (3), England (2), Austria (2), Hungary (2), Japan (2), The Netherlands (2), Italy (1) and Sweden (1). The latest editions held in Birmingham (2014), Nancy (2016) and Kyoto (2018) were chaired by Tony Bridgewater, Anthony Dufour and Hajime Ohtani respectively; they have been very successful with an increasing number of participants from all over the world. This time, the organizers are again expecting over 300 participants, and they intend to accommodate around 80 oral plus 150 to 200 poster presentations. The conference venue is magnificent: “Het Pand”, situated in the historical center of Ghent, is an ancient monastery (13th century) of the order of the Dominicans, which has been renovated completely. The University of Ghent is using it currently for academic meetings and the organization of symposia and congresses. It houses - apart from a large number of congress rooms - various museum collections, exhibition areas and a restaurant.
Your host institute, the University of Ghent, was founded in 1810. Over the past two centuries it has developed towards a highly-ranked academic society, with 11 faculties occupied by 15,000 staff and 44,000 students. The PYRO2020 conference organizers are working in the Department of Green Chemistry and Technology of the Bioscience faculty, and at the Laboratory of Chemical Technology of the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture. Together, they have an extensive experience in pyrolysis research and built a significant network of international collaboration. All members of the pyrolysis community are cordially invited to spend one week in the spectacular town of Ghent, to enjoy the presentation of new pyrolysis results in the first place, but also to establish collaborations by meeting new colleagues and seeing old friends again.
The organizers are eagerly looking forward to welcome you all at PYRO2022.
