Welcome to the 12^th International Conference on Molten Slags, Fluxes and Salts (MOLTEN 2024 - Supporting the Transition to Sustainable Technologies).

This important series of MOLTEN conferences brings together the leading researchers and engineers from around the world to exchange information and discuss the latest ideas, developments and concepts in the field. For those interested in developing and optimising high temperature processing systems, this conference, held once every 4 years, is our version of the Olympics!

Our society faces major and immediate challenges in the form of the sustainability of our natural ecosystems and environment. This has resulted in commitments to transition globally to a circular economy model and correspondingly to increased materials recycling, to the development and adoption of renewable energy and associated electrical power storage technologies, to the use of electricity in transportation and the reduction in the use of fossil fuels. The new technologies required to achieve these objectives all rely on the use of metals and metal compounds.

The majority of metals undergo some form of high temperature processing whether in production, refining or recycling. Critical for the design, development and optimisation of efficient, environmentally benign processes is the availability of fundamental scientific information on the physical and chemical properties of these metal systems. It is the aim of this conference to make a positive contribution to the exchange and dissemination of knowledge on this important class of processing systems, and thereby enhance the rate of progress to more sustainable industrial processing systems.

On behalf of the organising committee, we trust you will find MOLTEN 2024 stimulating, instructive and enjoyable.