From June 29 to July 2, 2026, the LGP2 laboratory* hosted in Grenoble the first edition of the Cellulose International Summit, an international scientific event dedicated to cellulose, its derivatives, advanced cellulosic materials, and their sustainable end-of-life management. This first edition was organized by the Cellulose Valley Chair (Supported by the Grenoble INP Foundation), the LGP2 laboratory, and DurInnPack, in partnership with Kanazawa University, Centre Technique du Papier (CTP), Tec21, Carnot PolyNat, GlycoAlpes, Grenoble INP – UGA and theUniversité Grenoble Alpes.
More than 150 participants from 60 countries took part in this international event, which brought together researchers, doctoral students, and industry professionals to discuss recent advances in the field of cellulose.
Three days of conferences on the cellulose-based materials of the future
After an orientation day that included a tour of the LGP2 laboratory and the first lectures on sustainable chemistry as applied to polysaccharides and new strategies for synthesizing cellulose derivatives, the participants continued with three days of particularly fruitful scientific discussions.
The program was organized around three main themes:
- Cellulose at various scales and its functionalization, with research focusing in particular on nanocellulose, processing methods, the fabrication of multiscale materials, and new approaches to biomass valorization.
- Advanced and functional cellulose-based materials, through research on bio-based composites, aerogels, membranes, technical textiles, energy materials, and environmental applications.
- Applications for packaging and sustainable end-of-life management, with presentations on recyclability, biodegradability, life-cycle assessments, new packaging materials, and cellulose forming processes.
The plenary sessions also served to highlight cutting-edge research, including that of Julien Bras, co-holder of the Cellulose Valley Chair, professor at Grenoble INP – UGA and researcher at LGP2 laboratory, who presented advances in the production of multiscale cellulosic materials.
Stronger collaboration between research and industry
Beyond the scientific presentations, the summit served as a prime forum for exchange among laboratories, higher education institutions, and industry stakeholders. The numerous conferences, poster sessions, and informal discussions provided an opportunity to align academic advances with industrial needs, particularly regarding the development of more high-performance and sustainable bio-based materials.
The event concluded with a roundtable discussion on the future of cellulose-based packaging, bringing together several representatives from companies that sponsor the Cellulose Valley Chair, including ANDRITZ, Ahlstrom, Chanel, DS Smith and Aptar. The discussion, moderated by Candice Rey, co-holder of the chair, addressed the scientific, industrial, and regulatory challenges associated with the transition to more sustainable packaging.
An international initiative led by the Cellulose Valley Chair
This summit fully illustrates the momentum driven by the Cellulose Valley Chair, which is one of the event’s organizers. Recently renewed for the period 2026–2030, this Chair of Industrial Excellence—supported by the Grenoble INP Foundation, draws on the recognized expertise of the LGP2 laboratory and Grenoble INP – Pagora, UGA, leading European players in the field of cellulosic materials. It aims to accelerate the development of cellulose-based packaging solutions and to support the sustainable transformation of industrial sectors in response to new environmental and regulatory requirements.
By bringing together researchers, doctoral students, industry representatives, and academic leaders from around the world, this first International Cellulose Summit directly contributes to this goal: fostering international collaboration, accelerating the transfer of research findings to industry, and establishing a European sector for cellulose-based materials and packaging.
The event also received the iCapital designation as part of Grenoble-Alpes Métropole ’s bid to be named the European Capital of Innovation 2026, highlighting its vital role in the region’s scientific and industrial influence.
Photos from the event
*LGP2 Laboratory: CNRS / UGA / Grenoble INP – UGA
