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The best work from the event was won by Thiago Wisley, a PhD student from the University of São Carlos, Brazil. You can read more in this other article in the YCN newsletter, where he shares his personal experience with ceramic additive manufacturing.

 The scientific program of the congress included 8 plenary lectures, 12 invited technical talks, and 264 submissions by the participants (divided into 18 oral sessions or 5 poster   sessions).  Zofia Kucia and Aleksandra Bak, from the University of Krakow, shared their experience on how the scientific program was enriching to them:

 Aleksandra Wiktoria Bak (AGH University of Krakow, Poland)

 “Participation in the 69th Brazilian Ceramic Congress, held in June this year, was a great honor and an extremely valuable scientific experience. The event provided an excellent   opportunity to expand my knowledge of a variety of ceramic materials, their manufacture, and applications. The congress was full of interesting lectures given by renowned   scientists from all over the world. It was a chance for me not only to deepen my knowledge of the materials I deal with every day in my PhD research, but also to learn about   topics outside my specialty - including materials for biomedical applications or materials used in hydrogen technologies. Attending the event was also a valuable opportunity to   talk  and exchange experiences - both with novice researchers and with experienced scientists. Many of the inspiring and constructive discussions will remain in my memory for a   long time. Participation in the 69th Brazilian Ceramic Congress has enriched me scientifically, broadened my horizons and allowed me to look at the future of my research from a   new perspective. I am sure that this experience will remain a source of inspiration for me for a long time to come.”

Zofia Kucia (AGH University of Krakow, Poland):

“Taking part in the 69th Brazilian Ceramics Congress was a very interesting experience. As someone who does not work with traditional ceramic materials on a day-to-day basis, it was an amazing opportunity to listen to the scientists talking about their experiences with ceramic materials research. I especially enjoyed the inspiring invited lectures on which not only have I learnt about the discussed topics but also gained a more broad perspective on presenting ideas and results in a captivating way, which will be very useful for my research. The poster sessions were a great way to engage in a conversation with the presenters, to discuss, and to share experiences. Last but not least, I got the great opportunity to present my research at the Congress, and discuss some of my results with others, and receive some feedback.” 

 Besides the technical presentations, the social program included an opening cocktail with a regional dance presentation and a farewell coffee break with karaoke. One of the   event highlights was the first Young Ceramist Evening, inspired by those organized during the ECerS Conferences. This evening included the JECS Trust Student Pitch Contest   and a happy hour dedicated to the young ceramists. The undergraduate chemistry student André Alexandre Alves da Silva won the prize. He also shared his perspective on the   event:

André Alexandre Alves da Silva (UNESP, Brazil)

 "Attending the 69CBC was an incredibly enriching experience. The event was very well organized, the presentations and discussions were very inspiring and deepened my knowledge of ceramic materials, and being capable of engaging which very experienced researchers provided valuable networking. The JECS Trust contest in particular was the highlight of the congress as it was an incredible opportunity to present my work, “Rheological properties of cement pastes and porosity of monoliths modified with citrus pectin”, to all the participants of the event, a lot of which went to my poster presentation afterwards and provided insightful feedback, and also to talk and share ideas with other young ceramists. It was my first time speaking about my research both in front of so many people and in another language, so I dedicated a lot of time and work for the contest. Winning the prize felt like a recognition of the hard work and dedication behind my project, especially since the competitors also had very good projects and presentations.

I’m grateful to the organizers, judges, and peers who made this achievement possible and look forward to contributing even more to this exciting field."

The conference participants came from all regions of Brazil (18 of our 27 states) and at least eight other countries, making this our most international edition to date. Among our international guests, the European Ceramic Society, through the JECS Trust, supported six European PhD students to attend the event. Annalaura and  Valeria, from the University of Padova, Italy, were among the invited students. Here are some of their thoughts:

Annalaura Zilio (University of Padova, Italy)

“Attending the 69th Brazilian Ceramic Congress in Natal was an incredibly rewarding experience. I was honoured to serve as a jury member for the Student Pitch Contest, which provided an opportunity to connect with emerging researchers and explore innovative ideas in ceramics. The congress brought together a diverse group of professionals, academics and students from Brazil and abroad, fostering a vibrant environment for collaboration and knowledge exchange. I would like to sincerely thank the JECS Trust for their generous support, which not only made my participation possible, but also significantly enriched my scientific and professional journey. The event broadened my knowledge of the latest developments in ceramic science and technology and opened doors to potential collaborations. Immersing myself in Brazil’s lively culture and warm hospitality outside the sessions added a unique and unforgettable dimension to the congress. This experience has been invaluable to my research and career, and has strengthened my dedication to contributing actively to the ceramics community.”

Valeria Diamanti (University of Padova, Italy)

“I had the pleasure to attend the 69th Brazilian Congress of Ceramics, held in Natal, which was a truly enriching and well-organized event that brought together researchers, professionals, and students from all over the world. In my opinion the conference offered a stimulating environment for scientific exchange, with high-level presentations in the wide field of ceramics. I was particularly impressed by the openness, energy, and engagement of the community, especially the initiatives dedicated to young researchers, such as the Student Pitch Contest. I also had the pleasure of contributing with an oral presentation and participating as co-chair and judge in some of the sessions. I’m sincerely grateful to the JECS Trust for supporting this experience, and I truly hope to come back soon and keep building on the connections and experiences I had in Brazil!”

As part of the organizing committee, it was very rewarding to hear such good feedback from the conference participants. I hope that these reflections will also encourage you to join us next year at the 70th Brazilian Congress of Ceramics, near the breathtaking waterfalls of Foz do Iguaçu, from June 7 to 10, 2026. See you there!

By Mateus Mota Morais

LinkedIn - Mateus Mota Morais