Barcelona, Spain | March 16-18, 2026

The 16th International Conference on Key Engineering Materials (ICKEM 2026) was successfully held in Barcelona, Spain, from March 16 to 18, 2026. As the vibrant capital of Catalonia and a Mediterranean metropolis renowned for its unique architectural heritage and innovative urban spirit, Barcelona provided an inspiring setting for this international academic dialogue on key engineering materials.

The conference opened with warm welcoming remarks by Prof. Arcady P. Zhukov (University of the Basque Country, Spain), the Conference Chair, who highlighted ICKEM's fifteen-year legacy of fostering global collaboration in materials research. The morning featured a series of distinguished keynote and invited speeches delivered by leading experts from the University of Oxford (UK), the Polytechnic Institute of Leiria (Portugal), the University of the Philippines Los Baños (Philippines), and UIC Barcelona (Spain). A coffee break and group photo brought participants together for lively networking.

The programme continued with in-depth oral sessions, tracks, and interactive Q&A discussions, seamlessly blending onsite and online participation in a hybrid format. ICKEM 2026 strengthened international partnerships and celebrated the dynamic scientific and cultural vitality of Barcelona.