Hub of Talents: Sustainable Materials for Circular Economy (HubSustainMat), in collaboration with PETROMAT, hosted the seminar “Explore the Future of Polymers and Collaborative Opportunities in Japan” on February 10, 2025, at Pathumwan Princess Hotel, Bangkok. The event was opened by Prof. Hathaikarn Manuspiya, Head of HubSustainMat.
Bringing together 39 participants from academia, the seminar explored advancements in sustainable polymer research and international collaboration opportunities. It featured three distinguished speakers from leading Japanese institutions, each presenting cutting-edge research in polymer science.
Chaired by Prof. Boonyarach Kitiyanan, Prof. Kotohiro Nomura (Tokyo Metropolitan University) shared his latest research on the development of high-performance biobased polyesters that can be efficiently chemically recycled. 
His work successfully produced biobased polyester films with mechanical properties comparable to conventional plastics. He also demonstrated the chemical recycling of PET from textiles, effectively separating monomers for upcycling—making a significant contribution to the circular economy.
Sessions by Prof. Sadaki Samitsu and Prof. Masanobu Naito (National Institute for Materials Science, NIMS) were chaired by Prof. Nisanart Traiphol.
Prof. Samitsu introduced 
macro- and nanoporous polymer fabrication using techniques such as phase separation, flash freezing, and wet spinning. He also highlighted the use of micro-CT imaging to analyze polymer morphologies in 3D. These porous materials hold great potential for applications in medicine, energy, and environmental sectors.
Prof. Naito discussed how artificial intelligence can enhance polymer recycling and upcycling by analyzing plastic waste through degradation (pyrolysis), mass spectrometry, and polymer sequencing. 
His research not only improves the identification of plastic waste, including marine plastics, but also guides the development of new materials with optimized durability and degradability—advancing sustainability in materials science.
The seminar underscored the importance of international collaboration in sustainable materials research and highlighted groundbreaking technologies that support the circular economy.
It also introduced the NIMS, Japan’s leading research and development institute specializing in materials science, which seeks to expand academic and research collaborations. Through joint graduate school programs and internship opportunities, NIMS provides a platform for international researchers, including those in Thailand, to engage in innovative studies and drive advancements in sustainable materials.
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