The Polymer IRC was founded in 1989 in the UK, to cross discipline bridges; at Bradford, the polymer engineering components have successfully built collaborations with other leading UK groups, and a range of international groups, both with significant research funding.

The Polymer IRC has, for over a decade, built strong collaborations in its Science Bridges China platform, and its UK-China Advanced Materials Research Institute. This has led to a range of joint international grants, 3 Joint Research Laboratories and over 60 research exchanges for early career researchers.  This successful model forms one of the main drivers for Polymer Engineering International.  Following initial consultations, Polymer Engineering International was launched at the P70 event in September 2018.

For information, here is our original UK-China Advanced Materials Research Institute – Research Declaration

• We, the members of the UK-China Advanced Materials Research Institute, agree the following:

• Research Quality: We are committed to excellent basic research, and recognise the importance of knowledge generation and intellectual advancement,

• Research applied: We recognise the importance of the application of our knowledge, to benefit all.

• Research vital for innovation: We believe that research is vital for innovation, that there is a pipeline from research to innovation and eventual commercial exploitation.

• Academic Research Collaboration: We value highly collaboration in our research and innovation. We recognise that such collaboration needs to be of mutual benefit, for example with joint publication and joint intellectual property, and it is highly preferred that collaborations should be long term to build up the advantages and develop teams of researchers.

• Collaboration with industry: We also recognise the high value of collaboration with industry in our research programmes, to help direct aspects of our research and knowledge transfer more effectively.

• Social value: We are responsible researchers, with a commitment and passion for our countries and our subject areas. We pursue excellence, and seek to benefit our academic community and our collaborators. Our funded programmes should be good value for money, and have clear targets.

• International ‘people bridges’: We are committed to international collaboration and to each other personally as we build

‘people bridges’, and help to combine our skills in research, knowledge transfer and innovation.