Institute for Transfer of Industrial Technology
International Symposium
on
Recent Advances in Environmentally
Compatible Polymers

Tsukuba Center for Institutes
(2-20-3 Takezono, Tsukuba, Ibaraki)

March 24(Wed)-26(Fri), 1999

sponsored by
Agency of Industrial Science and Technology
Ministry of International Trade and Industry
co-sponsored by
New Energy and Industrial Technology
Development Organization

SCOPE

Recently, environmental compatibility such as biodegradability and recyclability has been recognized as one of the most important functions of polymers, since polymer waste causes serious environmental problems. Natural polymers such as polysaccharides, polyphenols and oils are abundantly reproduced in nature. Therefore, the utilization of the above natural polymers and their components as raw materials for obtaining environmentally compatible polymers has been extensively studied, and has developed very rapidly over last ten years.
This conference deals with natural and synthetic polymer materials such as gels, fibres, pulp and paper, films, foams, blends and composites. Discussion will focus on the structures and functions of the above polymer materials at the molecular level.

SECRETARIAT ADDRESS

Dr. Shigeo Hirose
Dr. Masahiro Funabashi
National Institute of Materials and Chemical Research
1-1, Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8565, JAPAN
Fax & Tel +81-(0)XXX-XX-6250
E-mail shigeo@home.nimc.go.jp : mfunabashi@home.nimc.go.jp

SCIENTIFIC SESSIONS

- Gels:polysaccharide hydrogels, junction zone formation
- Pulp and Paper:new pulping methods, recycling of paper, functionalization of paper
- Utilization of Natural Polymers and Their Components:natural polymer derivatives, synthetic polymers from natural polymer components composites containing natural polymers
- Synthesis and Biodegradation:new synthetic methods, biosynthesis, biodegradation, genetechnology