August 7-8, 2023, the International Symposium on Environmentally Friendly Polymers and Composite Materials, hosted by the School of Chemical and Material Engineering at Jiangnan University and the Research Center for Environmentally Friendly Polymers and Functional Composites, was successfully held at the Changguangxi Hotel, Jiangnan University. More than 70 experts and scholars from over 20 universities and enterprises, along with master's and doctoral students from Jiangnan University, attended the symposium. Participants included representatives from Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e, Netherlands), ETH Zurich (Switzerland), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, University of Science and Technology of China, South China University of Technology, Jilin University, Tianjin University, Shandong University, Donghua University, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Jiangnan University, as well as companies such as Envalior (Netherlands), TotalEnergies Corbion (Netherlands), SABIC, Shanxi Xiyuefa Environmental Protection New Materials, and Beijing Green Kangcheng Biotechnology. The participants engaged in in-depth discussions on the research trends and development directions in the field of environmentally friendly polymers and functional composite materials.

The opening ceremony was presided over by Professor Piming Ma, Chair of the International Symposium and Vice Dean of the School of Chemical and Material Engineering. Jianying Cai, Deputy Director of the International Exchange and Cooperation Office at Jiangnan University, attended and delivered a speech. She extended a warm welcome to all experts, scholars, and entrepreneurs, provided a detailed overview of Jiangnan University's recent developments, and expressed gratitude for their contributions and support to the university's growth. Subsequently, Professor Ren Liu, Dean of the School of Chemical and Material Engineering, introduced the school's history, disciplinary development, faculty, research achievements, international exchanges, and talent cultivation. He also expressed hope that experts and scholars would continue to support the development of new chemical materials at Jiangnan University.

The symposium's presentation sessions were co-chaired by Professor Qinghua Zhang from Donghua University, Professor Tianxi Liu from Jiangnan University, Professor Theo Tervoort from ETH Zurich, and Professor Yong Zhang from Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Academic reports were delivered by Professor Theo Tervoort, Professor Pieter Jan Lemstra from Eindhoven University of Technology, Professor Joachim Loos from South China University of Technology, Professor Kaneko Tatsuo from Jiangnan University, Professor Feng Wang from the University of Science and Technology of China, Professor Zhe Ma from Tianjin University, Professor Yulan Chen from Jilin University, Associate Professor Yang Han from Tianjin University, Associate Professor Donglin Tang from South China University of Technology, Associate Researcher Weijun Yang from Jiangnan University, Dr. Jiaqi Chen from Beijing Green Kangcheng Biotechnology, Dr. Ruyin Wang from TotalEnergies Corbion (Netherlands), Dr. Chunxia Sun from Envalior (Netherlands), and Quanxin Xu from Shanxi Xiyuefa Group. They shared the latest academic and technological achievements in their respective research fields and engaged in in-depth discussions on cutting-edge topics and industrial applications of new chemical materials both domestically and internationally.

Finally, Professor Pieter Jan Lemstra, Co-Chair of the International Symposium, former President of the European Polymer Federation, founder of the Dutch Polymer Institute (DPI), and senior professor at Eindhoven University of Technology, delivered a concluding speech. He expressed gratitude to the experts and scholars for their insightful presentations and commended the symposium's fruitful outcomes. The symposium provided a platform for exchange and collaboration among experts, scholars, and entrepreneurs in the field of new chemical materials, facilitating discussions on academic perspectives, research findings, and industrial experiences, while exploring future directions and trends in environmentally friendly polymers. The participating faculty and students greatly benefited from the event, which was marked by a vibrant and academically enriching atmosphere, ensuring the symposium's success.

Leaders delivering speeches

Experts and scholars delivering academic reports

Group photo of participating experts and scholars