Research efforts persist in the areas of metallurgy, materials, and mining despite all of the challenges posed by Brazil's economic downturn. A good sign is the all-time high number of works submitted for ABM WEEK 2019.

Overall, 929 contributions were submitted to a technical committee (made up of industry experts) for evaluation and will be presented in oral sessions and posters from October 1 to 3 at the Pro Magno Event Center, in São Paulo. The figure is a 22% increase when compared to the number of works presented at the 2018 edition of the event.

Once again, we expect the ABM WEEK technical sessions to promote a marathon of knowledge exchange. “This year, we’ll see important participation by foreign professionals, pushed by the 11th International Rolling Conference (IRC 2019), held for the first time in Brazil during ABM WEEK,” says Horacidio Leal Barbosa Filho, engineer and CEO of the Brazilian Metallurgy, Materials and Mining Association (ABM).

In today’s troubled scenario, particularly at Brazilian federal universities, a number of factors help understand the great interest the ABM event has created. One of them is the technical recognition awards granted by ABM and sponsored by industry players for the best works presented. Another one is the possibility of publishing papers in highly-indexed journals, such as TMM (Technology in Metallurgy, Materials and Mining), jmr&t (Journal of Materials Research and Technology), and Materials Research (Ibero-American Journal of Materials). The last two are indexed in the Scopus database and are rated A1 and A2, respectively, in Qualis.
Moreover, all papers presented at the event are published in ABM Proceedings, a digital collection of annals that enhances the visibility of papers and amplifies the possibility of citations (adding points to the Lattes CV Platform, for example). In the case of the ABM Proceedings, a DOI (Digital Object Identifier) is assigned and indexed to the platforms Crossref and Google Scholars.
“The professionals’ interest is also a sign of the consolidation of ABM WEEK, whose 5th edition points to a significant degree of maturity," Leal adds.

About ABM WEEK
ABM WEEK is Latin America’s main technical-scientific event in the metals, materials, and mining industry. 
Promoted by the Brazilian Metallurgy, Materials and Mining Association (ABM), the event’s core objective is to enhance technology exchange, industrial development, and company competitiveness. It is also a great opportunity for professionals to share knowledge, engage in networking, and keep up with the latest trends in the industry.

The diversified, comprehensive program includes technical, panel, and plenary sessions, as well as business rounds, HR rounds, cocktails, and exhibition.
Industry’s critical topics will be on focus, including robotization, the role of start-ups in productivity improvement, and sustainable development.
The expectation is to attract more than 1,500 people representing major industry players from both Brazil and abroad, universities, research centers, and technology institutes.

On top of being a preferred forum to discuss current issues, ABM WEEK is also relevant for its size and comprehensiveness. The event brings together 11 simultaneous events that represent ABM’s long-lasting tradition: ABM’s 74th Annual Congress, 56th Rolling Seminar, 50th Steelmaking, Casting and Non-Ferrous Metallurgy Seminar, 49th Ironmaking Seminar, 20th Mining Symposium, 7th Ore Agglomeration Symposium, 38th Logistics Seminar, 40th Seminar on Utilities and Global Energy Balances, 34th Meeting of Industrial Gas Producers and Consumers, 23rd Automation and IT Seminar, and 19th Enemet – National Meeting of Metallurgical, Materials and Mining Engineering Students. 

In addition, this year's edition will host the 11th International Rolling Conference (IRC 2019), promoted by the International Society of Steel Institutes (ISSI).ABM WEEK relies on sponsorship by the following companies (updated in August 2019): Açokorte, Aperam, ArcelorMittal, Atomat, Beda, BRC, Cargo X, CBMM, Clariant, Condat, Danieli, Dassaut Systemès, DDMX, DME Engenharia, DSI Montagens Refratárias , ESW, Fosbel, Gerdau, Harsco, Hatch Cisdi, Ibar, Imerys, IMS Messsysteme, Ingersoll Rand, John Cockerill, Kelk/PLM, Kuttner, Lechler, Login Logística, Maina, Metso, Nalco, Nokia, Paradiso Giovanella, Paul Wurth, Polytec, Primetals, PSI Metals, Pyrotek, Reframax, RHI Magnesita, RIP, Saint-Gobain, SMS Group, Spraying Systems, Suez Water, Suncoke, Tecnosulfur, Ternium, Timken, Tora, Unifrax, Usiminas, Vale, Vamtec, Vesuvius, Villares Metals, White Martins. Moreover, the event is supported by the following organizations: Abendi, AIST, Capes, CNPq, Instituto Aço Brasil, Instituto Brasileiro de Mineração - Ibram and SAE Brasil.

Details
ABM WEEK 2019
Promoted by: Brazilian Metallurgy, Materials and Mining Association – ABM
Date: October 1 to 3, 2019
Place: Pro Magno Center of Events (Avenida Professora Ida Kolb, 513 - Jardim das Laranjeiras - São Paulo / SP)
Information and registration: www.abmbrasil.com.br/eventos

Text: Juliana Nakamura