Welcome Message from the Organising Chairperson

On behalf of the Organising Committee, it is my great honour and pleasure to welcome you to the 51^st IUPAC World Polymer Congress (MACRO 2026), which will be held in the vibrant city of Kuching, Sarawak, from 28^th to 31^st July 2026. This prestigious event is proudly organized by the Institut Kimia Malaysia (IKM) under the auspices of IUPAC and marks only the second time that MACRO is hosted in an ASEAN country — a testament to Malaysia’s growing influence in the global polymer and materials community.

MACRO 2026 is themed “New Polymers and Innovative Materials for a Sustainable Future” and is designed to foster scientific exchange and innovation in polymer science. The congress will feature a diverse range of sessions covering Advances in Polymer Synthesis, Polymer Physics and Characterization, Advances in Green Polymer Processing, Advanced Functional Polymeric Materials and Membranes, Biological, Biomedical and Environmentally-Friendly Polymers, Polymeric Materials for Clean and Sustainable Energy, Elastomers and Latexes, and Durability and Performance. We anticipate welcoming around 1,000 participants from all corners of the world, providing a platform to share knowledge, explore novel ideas, and establish collaborations across academia and industry.

Kuching, the “Bumi Kenyalang,” offers a unique and inspiring backdrop with its rich culture, heritage, and biodiversity, making it an ideal venue to spark creativity and meaningful dialogue among researchers, educators, and industry players.

We are excited to share this remarkable experience with you, and we look forward to insightful discussions, stimulating presentations, and lasting connections that will shape the future of polymer science.

Welcome to MACRO 2026 — let us together explore the new frontiers of polymers and sustainable materials.

Prof. Dr. Rusli Bin Daik

Organising Chairperson,

MACRO 2026

On behalf of Institut Kimia Malaysia (IKM), it is my distinct honour to invite you to the IUPAC 51st World Polymer Congress, or MACRO 2026, to be held from 28th to 31st July 2026 in the enchanting city of Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.

We are deeply privileged to host the prestigious global IUPAC 50th World Chemistry Congress (50WCC) in July 2025 in Kuala Lumpur under the auspices of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC). The advent of MACRO 2026 to Malaysia so soon after 50WCC, is a significant milestone that reflects the growing prominence of our region in the global landscape of polymer and materials science and innovation.

The theme, “New Polymers and Innovative Materials for a Sustainable Future,” resonates strongly with IKM’s commitment to advancing the chemical sciences in support of a more sustainable world. As polymers and materials continue to play a pivotal role in shaping modern landscape and infrastructure, and improving quality of life, it is imperative that we harness these new innovations responsibly, to create polymers and materials that contribute to cleaner and renewable energy, environmental protection and sustainability, and better quality of life.

Through MACRO 2026, we aim to provide an engaging and inspiring platform for scientists, researchers, and industry professionals to exchange ideas, share breakthroughs, and build enduring collaborations that transcend borders. IKM is proud to facilitate this dialogue and to contribute to the advancement of polymer and materials science for the benefit of society.

We invite you to join us in Kuching, a city that harmoniously blends nature, culture, and modernity, for a memorable congress filled with scientific discovery, meaningful connection, and Malaysian hospitality.

We look forward to welcoming you to MACRO 2026 and to celebrating together the boundless possibilities of polymer and materials in creating a sustainable future.

Datuk ChM Dr. Soon Ting Kueh

President,

Institut Kimia Malaysia (IKM)