The Barytes Association News

Save the Date for the Barytes Association’s Annual Conference 2026

The Barytes Association is happy to announce that its Annual Conference 2026 will take place on 9–10 ‎June 2026 at the Voco Madrid Retiro & CrownePlaza Madrid Centre Retiro Hotel, in the heart of ‎‎Madrid (Spain).

This 34th edition will once again feature expert presentations, industry insights, and plenty of ‎opportunities to exchange on the latest developments shaping the barytes sector.

What’s new for 2026?‎

‎Most parts of the Annual Conference including the presentations will be open to non-‎members, offering companies across the barytes value chain the chance to get key insights ‎and join discussions. ‎
‎If there is a topic you would like to see addressed, or if your company is interested in ‎presenting its work, feel free to reach out — the agenda is currently being developed, and ‎valuable contributions are welcome.‎
‎The Barytes Association continues to grow its membership to strengthen collaboration, share ‎knowledge, and support industry advancement. Please get in touch if you are interested in ‎joining.‎

Here is the preliminary programme:

Tuesday, 9 June 2026

10:00-12:00 ExCom Meeting (TBA ExCom Members only)

Afternoon Team Event / Side Activity

19:30 Welcome Reception

Wednesday, 10 June 2026

09:30-11:00 General Assembly Meeting (TBA Members only)

11:45-13:00 Presentations session I

13:00-14:30 Joint Lunch

14:30-15:45 Presentations session II

16:15-17:30 Presentations session III

19:30 Closing Dinner

Annual Meeting 2025 in Marrakech (Morocco)

More than 60 persons attended the Barytes Association´s Annual Conference 2025 at the Kenzi Rose Garden Farah Hotel in Marrakech, Morocco on 18 & 19 June 2025 and made it a huge success!

The General Assembly approved new Articles that establish a new membership category. Companies interested in the barytes industry but not eligible for full membership — such as equipment suppliers, service providers, consultants, users, or traders - can now join as associate members.

The expanded lecture program which was also open to non-members provided valuable updates on relevant topics for the industry and was a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with industry peers.

32nd General Assembly in Houston (USA) on 5 June 2024

The Barytes Association held its General Assembly at the Royal Sonesta Hotel Houston Gallery. Representatives of 20 member companies participated in person or virtually. The members elected a new President, Moritz Ostenrieder of Sachtleben Minerals, as well as a new Executive Committee.

For the first time, the General Assembly was organized together with the Barite & Oilfield Minerals Forum, which had ‎broadened its scope to baryte markets outside the oilfield market, such as ‎the chemicals and filler markets.‎

31st General Assembly was held in France on 31st May 2023 at Moulin de Vernègues Hôtel, Mallemort

The Barytes Association is proud to welcome two new members:

Fireside Minerals Ltd. and Minerales y Arcillas, S.A. de C.V. (MINAR)

View photos from the visit

View photos from site visit: courtesy of Omya International AG

View photos from wine-tasting, Château Bas, courtesy of Halliburton Energy Services

The 30th General Assembly was held in Houston, US on 1st June 2022

The Barytes association is proud to welcome two new members:

BASTION INDUSTRIES SARL and PERFOBAR!

There were 41 attendees joining this event (some of the participants joined online).

View photos from the 30th General Assembly here.

View photos from the Reception and Cruise Dinner here.

View photos from the Halliburton Plant Visit here.

The Barytes Association elects David Henrick as new president

David F Henrick The Barytes Association announces the election of David F. Henrick as its new president, effective 4th June 2020, succeeding Mr. Lion Kirkels, who is stepping down after 6 years and having been a Board member for many more years.

Mr. Henrick’s career in the mineral and mining industry expands the course of 38 years, with experience in all aspects of the processing, mining and shipping of mineral resources and products. He is experienced in working with both Industrial and Oil & Gas exploration companies and a diverse range of customers.

David F. Henrick had been working for Excalibar Minerals for 22 years including as President, General Manager, Director Sales and Marketing, Director of Operations and Operations Manager. Prior to Excalibar, Mr. Henrick worked for IMASCO Minerals as Operations Manager and 16 years for J. M. Huber Corp. in the Engineered Minerals Division where he served in various roles in Management, Research& Development, Process Design, Operations and Quality Assurance.

As Mr. Henrick mentioned during the last General Assembly “The Barytes Association and our members are successfully responding to the unprecedented challenges of Covid-19 and the decline in Barytes markets Globally. It is more important than ever that we remain a strong voice for our industry and help shape the environmental, regulatory and financial policies of the future ......,”

The 26th General Assembly was held at Schnellinger Silberstub, Haslach Schnellingen, in the Black Forest, Germany, 10th-12th June 2018

There were 44 attendees - 21 of our 27 members were present

View photos of the 26th General Assembly here

Group Photograph

Schnellinger-Silberstub

The 25th General Assembly was held in Houston, Texas, US, 23rd-25th May 2017

There were 45 attendees - 24 of our 25 members were present

View photos of the 25th General Assembly here

The 24th General Assembly was held in Peralada, Figueres, Catalonia, Spain 11th-13th May 2016

Courtesy of August Conesa and MIneralia
There was a record attendance of 52 delegates from 22 of our 25 members including Brazil, Bulgaria, China, India, Germany, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Spain, Turkey, UK, and US

View photos of the 24th General Assembly here.

The 23rd General Assemblywas held in Houston, Texas, USA 25th-27th May 2015.

Joint hosts were Excalibar Minerals, RockFin Minerals, Halliburton and MI-SWACO. The meeting was followed by the Oil Field Minerals Conference 28th-29th at which the Association and several members gave presentations.