Annual conferences
Our unique annual conferences are the largest gatherings of the chromium industry and offer attendees the opportunity to gain valuable market insights, hear industry experts, keep up-to-date with industry issues and to access invaluable networking opportunities.
Networking event & dinner
Cape Town, SA
8 February 2026
The 5th edition of the ICDA Cape Town networking event and dinner reaffirmed its relevance and impact, drawing 120 delegates and marking one of the most successful gatherings since these events were launched.
While the South African chromium industry faces well-known challenges, the country remains a cornerstone of global chromium supply, with significant potential to meet the world’s demand for critical raw materials essential to strategic development.
AFRICA CHROMIUM WEEK 2026
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
14-16 April 2026
Home to the world’s second-largest chrome ore reserves, Zimbabwe holds a strategic position in the chromium market.
ICDA Africa Chromium Week will bring together policymakers, industry leaders, and market participants to examine the forces reshaping the sector — from geopolitics and national resource strategies to regulatory developments and evolving trade flows.
As chromium gains importance across multiple jurisdictions, supply security and value addition are rising on national agendas. The conference will assess Zimbabwe’s role within this landscape, including the implications of Vision 2030
for mining, beneficiation, and industrial growth.
Discussions will also address South Africa’s position as a major supplier, shifting global ferrochrome production patterns, and Indonesia’s expanding presence in the market.
Schedule
14 April 2026
10:00 - 17:00
Welcome desk open – Networking
18:45 - 21:30
Cocktail reception and welcome dinner
15 April 2026
09:00 - 12:30
Conference (including networking coffee break)
– Keynote address delivered by Hon. Dr. Polite Kambamura, Minister of Mine and Mining Development of the Republic of Zimbabwe
– Zimbabwe Leaders Talk, a conversation with Zimbabwe industry leaders and government agencies representatives about the country investment needs, industrial
development, and further integrating Zimbabwe into global value chains for critical raw materials as part of the Vision 2030.
– South Africa Talks,bringing together leading voices, including representatives from the South African and Chinese ferrochrome sector to explore potential practical solutions, market perspectives, and opportunities for strengthening the local industry.
12:30 - 14:00
Networking lunch
14:00 - 15:00
Conference (including networking coffee break)
– Drivers of Change: Policy, Sustainability, and Technology Transforming Ferrochromium and Stainless Steel Markets. Panelists will discuss implications for supply chains, market competitiveness, and the perspectives for stainless steel and ferrochromium production and demand.
18:30 - 23:00
Zambezi waterfront Gala dinner
16 April 2026
09:00 - 12:00
Conference (including networking coffee break)
– Chrome on the Move, Rail Solutions and Port Strategy in Southern Africa. This session will explore practical strategies for moving chrome/FeCr securely from mine/plants to market with a focus on optimising regional integration across Zimbabwe rail, South African logistics networks and the Port of Maputo in Mozambique.
– Global and Regional Outlook – Analysts’ Perspectives. Chromium and its downstream market are navigating a period of heightened complexity. Leading experts will examine the global and regional outlook for chrome ore, ferrochrome and stainless steel, including the interplay between China and India’s demand trajectories, the UG2-PGM supply correlation and the broader macro-economic environment.
12:15 - 14:00
Closing Networking lunch
The conference is open to both ICDA members and non-members.
Register now! Our dedicated team is available at admin-events@icdacr.com to provide registration assistance.
View the conference detailed speaker programme at this link.
Reflecting on the Chromium 2025 conference
‘The Chromium 2025 conference in Seville demonstrated the dynamism and resilience of the European chromium industry, strongly driven by stainless and specialty steel sectors and advanced downstream uses.’
Despite the European stainless steel market share having declined in recent decades in favour of Asian competitors, the European sector has demonstrated its ability to maintain its position at the forefront of innovation and sustainability.
Europe’s stainless steel and chromium-related industry is a key driver of competitiveness, employment, manufacturing output and innovation in the EU, and as such, it holds a strategic importance for the EU economy.
Over these 3 days together we have explored the following topics
• How geopolitics may redefine trade and demand,
• How leaders navigate volatility,
• Why sustainability ambitions must not be scaled back,
• Whether chromium should be classified as a critical and strategic raw material, and
• What market and regional outlooks tell us about the road ahead.
The event was attended by 220 delegates from across the world, with a strong EU presence. Chromium 2025 has received sponsorship from its long-standing members Acerinox and Cometal S.A., as well as from Fives.
One of the event’s key highlights was the Acerinox Europa technical tour, which provided 70 delegates from across the world with the opportunity to observe the manufacturing process for stainless steel flat products and several steps of the production process, including both hot and cold rolling processes.
We had the privilege of hearing Bernardo Velázquez, CEO of Acerinox, deliver a welcoming address in which he recalled the long-standing friendship and support of Acerinox to the International Chromium Development Association, of which Acerinox has been a member since 1989. He reminded the audience that stainless steel was first invented in Europe in the early 20th century and expressed his confidence in Europe’s
continued role as a pioneering and innovative industrial leader.
“The ICDA Conference 2025 in Spain was an interesting experience and provided with a valuable opportunity to meet participants from various regions and engage in constructive discussions.”
“Thank you very much, what a great event. We look forward to next one in Zimbabwe.”
“It was a great experience and a valuable opportunity to learn more about the chromium industry up close.”
“Organisation, venue, presentations, people…everything was brilliant!”
“Thanks for putting on a great conference – very valuable content.”
“As always, this is a very valuable conference for networking and staying up to date on latest market developments.”