In September 2026, the second edition of the European Forum for Engineering and Catalysis Towards Sustainability (effects) will be organized as an official YEuCat event, endorsed by the European Federation of Catalysis Societies (EFCATS). It is organized under the auspices of the Italian Association of Chemical Engineering (AIDIC) and the Group of Catalysis (GIC) of the Italian Chemical Society (SCI). The focus of the forum will be an interactive and interdisciplinary discussion on the role of catalysis and reaction engineering in the current push towards the energy transition and a more sustainable chemical industry. Participants will also engage in teamwork activities where they will be trained in the tools and strategies needed to develop and pitch a competitive research proposal in the field of catalysis. To also include the perspective of major players in the industrial sector, a site visit to a company is currently under organization and may be included in the program.
Key facts
When? 31 August - 4 September 2026
Where? Politecnico di Milano, Milano, Italy
Who? Early career scientists (PhDs & PostDocs) in catalysis & reaction engineering
How? The abstract submission and registration for the effects forum is open until April 30.
Abstract submission & registration
Participation in the forum is subject to approval of an abstract. Please use the abstract template provided below to prepare your abstract. You may submit it as either a .doc or .pdf file. All attendees are expected to present their work either as a pitch presentation or with a poster. Information on the presentation and poster guidelines will follow after the review process has concluded.
Instructions for registration will be included in the notification of acceptance email. Detailed information regarding participation costs will be announced soon.
Abstract template can be found here.
Abstract can be submitted here.
Timeline:
20 March 2026 Opening of abstract submission
30 April 2026 Deadline for abstract submission
June 2026 Notification of acceptance for abstracts
15 July 2026 Registration deadline
31 August 2026 Beginning of the Young European Catalysis Forum
Topic & preliminary program
The preliminary program of the effects 2026 forum is presented below. Special emphasis is placed on the collaborative aspect of research. Thus, the program evolves around interdisciplinary and interactive problem solving tasks, which the participants will work on in groups and present to the others in the end. The topics of these case studies will be decided among the organizers with input from the industrial partners and present problems currently of high relevance. Fundamentals and a perspective on these problems will be provided by three invited speakers working in the areas of catalysis and/or reaction engineering. Additionally, the participants will present and discuss their own work in either a pitch presentation or in the poster session (subject to evaluation of the provided abstract).
One day may be dedicated to a company visit; alternatively, training sessions will be extended. The preliminary program under development is provided below.
Invited speakers
Prof. Enrico Tronconi
Politecnico di Milano, Milano, Italy
Dr. Roberta Villamaina
Johnson Matthey, United Kingdom
Dr. Tilman Schildhauer
Paul Scherrer Institute
Meals & accomodation in Milan
Lunches will be provided on all full days of the forum. There will be furthermore snacks, drinks and coffee available in the breaks between the sessions.
Please note that you have to book your accomodation on your own and at your own expenses.
How to reach Politecnico di Milano
Campus Leonardo of Politecnico di Milano is located in Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, Milan, Italy. The closest metro stop is Piola/Politecnico on the M2 line.
Campus Bovisa of Politecnico di Milano is located in Via Lambruschini 4a, Milan, Italy. The closest train stops are Milano Villapizzone and Milano Bovisa.
It is easily reached by both train and plane from all over Europe. The events will take place in seminar rooms located in two campuses. A detailed map of Polimi Campus can be found here.
Address: Campus of Milano Leonardo: Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milano, Italy
Campus of Milano Bovisa: Via Lambruschini 4a, 20156 Milano, Italy.
By train:
Politecnico di Milano can be conveniently reached from Milan main station (Milano Centrale). From Milano Centrale, you can take metro M2 (green line) to stop 'Piola' you can then reach Leonardo campus with a 5-minutes walk. Campus Bovisa can be reached from Milano Centrale with the train to Airport Malpensa (MXP) until the stop 'Milano Bovisa Politecnico'. From Milano Porta Garibaldi station you can take any S-line heading to either 'Milano Bovisa Politecnico' or 'Milano Villapizzone' stations. From there, the campus is only 5-minutes walk away.
By plane:
Milano Linate, Malpensa and Orio al Serio Airports are conveniently connected to Politecnico di Milano. From Linate Airport, the metro line M4 (blue line) takes you in few minutes to the city. From Malpensa Airport, take the train connection (MXP) directly to Milano Centrale or 'Milano Bovisa Politecnico' station. From Orio al Serio, take the bus shuttle to Milano Centrale. Tickets can be bought in the train stations or using the Trenitalia or Trenord Websites. Metro tickets can be purchased on ATM website or directly by using credit card.
Questions & contact
For administrative questions (registration, abstract submission, visa requests, etc.), please contact us at effects2026@aidic.it.
For questions about the scientific sessions or program, please contact us at yeucat-effects-deng@polimi.it.
Local Organizing Committee
Andrea Gjetja, Politecnico di Milano / YEuCat
Prof. Dr. Emanuele Moioli, Politecnico di Milano / YEuCat
Giuseppe Nava, Politecnico di Milano / YEuCat
Dr. Veronica Piazza, Politecnico di Milano / YEuCat
Program Committee
Parviz Azimov, Sorbonne University / YEuCat
Andrea Gjetja, Politecnico di Milano / YEuCat
Lorenz Lindenthal, Montanuniversität Leoben / YEuCat
Maya Ludwig, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology / YEuCat
Dr. Veronica Piazza, Politecnico di Milano / YEuCat
Verena Süß, Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology / YEuCat
Dr. Vera Truttmann, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology / YEuCat
Organizing societies & partners
The event is financially supported by the European Federation of Catalysis Societies a.i.s.b.l. (EFCATS).