The scientific partnership between France and Japan in polymer chemistry is growing stronger.
In July 2025, the second edition of the Franco-Japanese Polymer Symposium was held in Kitakyūshū, bringing together around thirty researchers from both countries. The event focused on shared challenges related to these strategic materials, addressing topics ranging from high performance to recyclability.
This fruitful collaboration was spearheaded by Vincent Ladmiral and Sylvain Caillol, both research directors at the Institut Charles Gerhardt Montpellier (ICGM). As Vice-President of the French Polymer Group (GFP), Sylvain Caillol has been actively involved, alongside Vincent Ladmiral, in fostering closer ties between the French and Japanese scientific communities, creating strong and lasting bonds.
This partnership exemplifies a true “win-win” synergy: complementary scientific approaches, constructive human exchanges, and a shared focus on key issues such as vitrimers — recyclable and durable materials — and polymer end-of-life, a major challenge in tackling the global plastic crisis.
ICGM is proud to play a key role in this high-level international collaboration, perfectly aligned with today’s scientific and societal challenges.
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