Partnership drives powerful impact in polymer chemistry and biotechnology research

The Power of partnership – celebrating the success of collaboration between the Polish Academy of Sciences and the University of Wolverhampton

A long-standing partnership between the University of Wolverhampton and the Polish Academy of Sciences is driving impactful research in polymer chemistry and biotechnology. Recent visits and joint seminars highlight the strength of this collaboration and its growing international influence.

Scientific collaboration is a very important element of modern science. The Faculty of Sciences and Engineering at the University of Wolverhampton has been collaborating for many years with Professor Marek Kowalczuk

and Professor Grazyna Adamus, and their research team from the Centre of Polymer and Carbon Materials Polish Academy of Sciences (CMPW PAN) in Poland. Together, they have developed and exchanged innovative ideas in polymer chemistry and biotechnology, with impactful research conducted by both staff and doctoral students across the two institutions.

This collaboration has led to significant joint research focused on natural biopolymers and green chemistry. Dr Fideline Tchuenbou-Magaia, Dr Brian Johnston, Dr Abhishek Gupta, and Dr Ibrahim Khalil visited CMPW PAN several times over the years. Their work has resulted in numerous publications in internationally recognised, high-impact journals, and presentations at global conferences.

In August 2025, Professor Grazyna Adamus from CMPW PAN visited the University of Wolverhampton, meeting with faculty staff and PhD researchers. Professor Adamus’s visit will no doubt have a positive impact on the future collaborative research activities, research outcomes and scientific contacts between both scientific institutions.

Prof Radecka said: “For our research Biopolymer Group, collaboration with CMPW PAN is one of the most effective ways to explore new ideas, share knowledge, skills and resources for performing interdisciplinary research relevant to biodegradable polymers. Working together as a team of experts, we can make significant advancements for the benefit of science as well as society.”

In July 2025, the CMPW Polish Academy of Sciences organised an International Seminar on Polymer Materials in Environmental and Climate Protection, at the Centre of Polymer and Carbon Materials in Zabrze, Poland. The event was funded by the NAWA ‘Welcome to Poland’ project, supported by the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (Project No. BNP/WTP/2023/1/00015).  Professor Iza Radecka, along with two PhD students, Zinnia Mansoor and Siting Guo, represented the University of Wolverhampton at the Seminar. Professor Radecka delivered a keynote address on the role of microorganisms in the circular economy and biopolymer production for a sustainable world, highlighting the need to harness microbial potential for a better life in the future.

The PhD students presented their research on biopolymer development for agricultural and packaging applications, aimed at replacing non-biodegradable plastics.

PhD student Zinnia said: “It was so exciting to share my project results with an international audience during the conference. The audience and participants showed high interest in our research work and demonstrated keenness for future collaboration.”

Dr Johnston added: “The continuous collaboration and research opportunities of our work with the PAN have meant that we have been able to share resources, increase our publications and keep our research cutting edge.” This year alone the team has published four research papers in high-impact journals.