From May 20-22, 2026, researchers from the CataLysis Network gathered in Weimar for the annual International CataLysis Conference. Once again, the event provided a vibrant platform for scientific exchange, interdisciplinary discussions, and networking among the participating Collaborative Research Centers (CRCs), Transregios, and research initiatives.
This year’s conference brought together six major DFG-funded catalysis consortia: our CRC 1333, CRC/TRR 247, CRC 1441 TrackAct, CRC 1633, CRC 325, and the CataLight Coordination initiative. In addition, participants were introduced to CRC 1615 SMART Reactors and the research initiative Iron, upgraded!. A total of 186 scientists attended the meeting, making the conference one of the largest gatherings of the German catalysis community.
The scientific program featured six outstanding keynote lectures delivered by internationally renowned researchers
- Prof. Dr. Mircea Dincă “MOF-Enabled Catalysis for Commodity Chemicals”
- Dr. Vincent Artero “From Proton Relays to Microenvironments: Harnessing PCET processes in molecular catalysis for H₂ and CO₂ Conversion”
- Prof. Dr. Ming-Yu Ngai “Excited-State Catalysis in Organic Synthesis”
- Dr. Valerie Briois “Hyperspectral Full Field Quick EXAFS Imaging for Looking at the Dynamic of Spatial Heterogeneities along a Catalyst Bed”
- Prof. Dr. Ive Hermans “TS-1: The Gift that Keeps on Giving”
- Prof. Dr. Ken Sakai “Molecular Catalysis of Water Splitting and CO₂ Reduction”
In addition to the keynote lectures, the conference featured 26 presentations from the participating CRCs and nearly 100 poster contributions. These sessions highlighted the breadth of current catalysis research and stimulated lively discussions across disciplinary boundaries.
A special highlight of the conference was the poster award competition. To encourage cross-consortium exchange, poster presentations were evaluated by members of a different CRC than their own. The CRC 1333 was evaluated by the CataLight initative und vice-versa. Yannick Weidemann, CRC 1333 doctoral researcher won the prize for this poster on “Spectroelectrochemical Evidence on COF induced Confinement of Water” for the CRC 1333. We warmly congratulate him and all the other winners on this achievement.
The International CataLysis Conference once again demonstrated the strength of Germany’s catalysis research network. By bringing together researchers from diverse fields and career stages, the meeting fostered new collaborations, strengthened existing connections, and provided fresh perspectives on the future of catalysis research.
CRC 1333 would like to thank all speakers and participants for making this year’s conference such a successful and memorable event. We are already looking forward to the next gathering of the CataLysis Network!
