Inside the Saksham Expert Training Program: A 3-Day Immersion into Refractory Expertise
The Saksham Expert Training Program 2025 took place from May 7th to 9th at our PCR Plant in Bengaluru. Organized by the Saint-Gobain Steel Club, this exclusive event brought together select customers and partners from across India for three days of hands-on learning, technical deep dives, and collaborative exchange — all focused on optimizing induction furnace refractory lining performance.
After a quick presentation of the group and the loyalty program, the first day kicked off with in-depth sessions covering various refractory lining types, installation and sintering methods, and failure root cause analysis.
A highlight of the day was a session by an external expert from Inductotherm, who shared valuable insights on maintenance and repair of coil coating in induction furnaces, offering practical guidance and industry best practices.
Participants engaged with both internal and external experts and set the stage for advanced learning through interactive discussions and knowledge sharing.
Day two centered on real-world applications, including a live demonstration of the sintering process in our pilot induction furnace. The team also led an in-depth session on induction furnace refractory solutions — the do's and don'ts, Case Studies, providing actionable guidance for maximizing lining life and performance. Another key focus area was understanding lining behavior in response to thermal expansion and contraction, equipping participants with deeper technical knowledge to address performance challenges in the field.
The final day was dedicated to Lean study, peer-to-peer exchange, interactive quizzes and collaborative discussions on challenges and innovations in the field. Participants explored sustainable refractory practices and advanced technical strategies for long-term value creation.
Those three days proved to be the perfect opportunity to bridge theory and practice, bringing together a community of professionals committed to advancing refractory performance in induction furnaces. Beyond the technical content, the program fostered a spirit of collaboration, curiosity, and continuous improvement, creating real value through shared insights and on-the-ground experience.
The program concluded with a certificate distribution ceremony, recognizing the enthusiastic participation of each delegate. To cap off the experience, attendees enjoyed a fun and relaxed dinner outing with a mini-golf experience, a perfect opportunity to unwind and strengthen professional connections in an informal setting.
If you're committed to driving excellence in steelmaking and want to be part of a trusted knowledge-sharing ecosystem, we invite you to join us at the Saint-Gobain Steel Club community.
