German Mining Museum (Bochum, Germany):

Farrenkopf M., Dr. Phil., Director, E-mail: michael.farrenkopf@bergbaumuseum.de

The 32nd Symposium of Coking Technology focused on two anniversaries: 100 years of Coking Committee of the Steel InstituteVDEh and 25 years of Association of German Coking Experts (VDKF). More than 250 professionals were informed in presentations occurred on 29 and 30 November, 2012 in Bochum, about historical developmentsand current trends in coking technology. Hans Jürgen Kerkhoff, President of the German Steel Federation and Chairman of the Steel Institute VDEh, pleaded for a new general understanding of cokemaking technology. Other lectures were devoted to the history of coke making in Germany, to the main technological innovations du ring XX century,to restoration of production facilities in 1950-ies, to the hard work formeeting the environmental requirements at coking plants. The problemsof interaction between coke quality and productivity of blast furnaces have been also discussed. The Coking Medal for outstanding contributions to the coking industry was awarded to several highskilled specialists. In addition, a new permanent exhibition focusing on the same topic was opened at the German Mining Museum.