The role of the International Flame Research Foundation's industrial networking activities in the dissemination of research information

The international Flame Research Foundation - the IFRF - has developed from a co-operative research project, which commenced over 50 years ago. This co-operation was initially based on experimental research programmes and facilities, situated at IJmuiden in the Netherlands, which in turn gave birth to the IFRF Research Station. The success of the early work brought in more cc-operators and supporters, which rapidly developed into an extensive international support network. For four decades, the IFRF worked on industrial combustion and environmental research with considerable accomplishments. in the mid-1990's the IFRF had the need to downsize and reorganise its operations in parallel with many other organisations world-wide. The result of this reorganisation is described in this paper with particular emphasis upon the redevelopment of the IFRF Industrial support group and the development and provision of services to this Industrial Combustion Network.