Objectives

• To outline current economic, political, scientific, and industrial factors globally and set heat treatment and surface engineering against that background
• To generate specific papers and other contributions on a range of economic, scientific and industrial topics from recognized authorities in their respective fields
• To hold workshops and discussions whenever possible or appropriate at IFHTSE conferences

Progress

The Project Leader is Dr Zoltán Kolozsváry, CEO of SC Plasmaterm SA in Targu Mures, Romania, and IFHTSE Treasurer. Dr Kolozsváry was also IFHTSE President 1998-99. Following a series of formal and informal discussions, and the circulation of a preliminary questionnaire, the first reactions showed, perhaps unsurprisingly, a general belief that the fundamental drivers for change and development are:

• Energy
• Environment

Naturally, the distortions in the global economy caused by reactions to the US loan crisis and the consequent twin losses of liquidity and confidence have affected the thinking of most companies since late 2008 and will probably continue to do so for some time. Nonetheless, the need for robust industrial progress remains important as a contributor to whatever recovery we can look forward to. So far as Global 21 is concerned, more attention will be given to economic aspects across the board.

The industrial and economic facts are more or less available at any given time, but they need expert review and, more importantly, interpretation. Thus the Project is attracting:

• Information on national and regional policies and situations
• Information, evaluation and review of scientific and technological specifics
• Informed opinion and views which assess the data and trends and look at possible future outcomes which, in turn, are available as intelligence for planning. Personal and group opinions are meant to trigger objections and counter-arguments