On behalf of the Organizing Committee, it is my great honour and pleasure to welcome you to the 51st IUPAC World Polymer Congress (MACRO 2026), which will be held in the vibrant city of Kuching, Sarawak, from 28th to 31st 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.