After an eight-year hiatus, the 2025 International Chemical Recovery Conference (ICRC 2025) made a successful return to Toronto from September 24–26, 2025, hosted by the University of Toronto at the Chestnut Conference Centre. The event drew 107 participants from 11 countries, re-establishing ICRC as the world’s leading forum for advancing chemical recovery and sustainable technologies in the pulp and paper industry.
The program featured 53 presentations exploring topics such as black liquor oxy-combustion, CO₂ capture and decarbonization, lime cycle optimization, and evaporation plant operations.
Delegates included representatives from ANDRITZ, Arauco, Bracell, Clyde Industries, International Paper, Noram Engineering, and Valmet, as well as researchers from Aalto University, Åbo Akademi University, LUT University, and the University of Toronto. The conference opened with remarks from Professor Emeritus Doug Reeve, founder of U of T’s Pulp & Paper Centre and chair of the inaugural ICRC in 1981.
Professor Nikolai DeMartini, the 2025 Conference Chair, welcomed participants and emphasized the importance of global collaboration in advancing low-carbon process technologies.
The University of Toronto was well represented, with graduate students Manling Huang and Sina Talebi presenting their research alongside alumni Adam Rogerson, Jarod Ryan, and Shadan Mostafavi. Professor Emeritus Honghi Tran, was also in attendance. Mandeep Rayat led conference coordination and logistics, ensuring a smooth and well-organized experience for all participants.
As the conference concluded, participants celebrated the successful revival of ICRC and reaffirmed the international community’s commitment to innovation in pulp mill chemical recovery.
The next ICRC will be held June 6–8, 2028, in Turku, Finland.