From September 22nd to 29th, a Team of IME — including students, scientific assistants, and staff — embarked on an excursion to northern Germany. The diverse group enjoyed lively discussions and gained first-hand insights into both pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical processes that contribute to a more sustainable metallurgical industry.

The trip began in Ennepetal at Siegfried-Jacob-Metallwerke, focused on metal sorting and recycling, followed by visits to Glencore in Nordenham for lead and zinc extraction and a hydrometallurgical aluminium oxide plant in Stade. A boat tour provided a relaxing end to a productive day. Later stops included Aurubis in Hamburg, where participants explored pyrometallurgical copper production, as well as ArcelorMittal and Trimet, offering insights into direct reduction of iron oxide pellets and primary aluminium production.

We sincerely thank the companies and the following sponsors for allowing us to deepen our understanding of industrial metallurgy:

• Freunde des IME e.V.
• Stifterverband Metalle e.V.
• Otto-Junker-Stiftung
• GDMB Gesellschaft der Metallurgen und Bergleute e.V.
• Aluminium Engineering Center Aachen e.V.