The research funding amounts to € 2,300,000.
The award ceremony will be held on 5 September in Madrid.

POLYMAT is a research centre of excellence in polymer science that contributes to innovation in materials to meet the challenges of the 21st century in energy, health and sustainability. POLYMAT works in close collaboration with the national and international scientific and industrial fabric, carrying out fundamental application-oriented research.

Established in 2012, POLYMAT is associated with the University of the Basque Country/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea. It has more than two hundred researchers of thirty-five nationalities who are convinced that polymers are essential for improving the quality of life and achieving sustainable development. Its researchers strive to develop better and more recyclable polymers, to develop materials for cleaner and renewable energy, to find biodegradable polymers or to develop polymers for medical and cosmetic uses.

POLYMAT participates in multiple research projects in international networks and encourages teamwork within the organisation. It promotes policies of equality and co-responsibility between women and men in all areas of the organisation.

The achievement of the María de Maeztu accreditation for Scientific Excellence, obtained in an evaluation and selection process in accordance with the most demanding international standards, is a recognition of the work carried out and an opportunity, with the associated €2,300,000, to further develop the centre's strategic research plan.

The Plan will be led by a team of guarantor researchers, headed by Ikerbasque researcher David Mecerreyes, who says that ‘it is an honour for POLYMAT to have been accredited with this recognition’. He also stresses that ‘it will contribute to maintaining the transfer of polymer research to other scientific, technological and industrial agents, as well as to society’.

José María Asua, Scientific Director of POLYMAT, is grateful for the commitment and dedication of all the staff throughout the twelve years of the centre's existence, where POLYMAT has positioned itself among the top five polymer research centres in Europe. He also highlights the importance of the support provided by the Basque Government, Ikerbasque, the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa, the University of the Basque Country/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea, the Spanish Government and the European Commission, as well as the collaboration with many other centres and institutions, which were crucial in obtaining this recognition.

Awarding of the María de Maeztu Unit accreditation

On 5 September, the accreditation statuette will be awarded at a ceremony to be held in Madrid.