The Center for Education and Research on Macromolecules (CERM) specializes in the synthesis of metal-free biodegradable polymers for biomedical applications. Areas of expertise include biocomposites from natural fibers and modification of polymers like chitosan. CERM also processes biobased polymers into foams, composites, blends and nanofibers. They produce high purity polylactide and copolymers for use as resorbable surgical materials, drug delivery systems, and wound dressings. CERM provides polymerization, characterization, processing and property analysis services to companies in the plastics, pharmaceutical and biomedical sectors.

1. 1
CENTER FOR EDUCATION AND RESEARCH
ON MACROMOLECULES (CERM)
Department of chemistry
University of Liège
Prof. Christine Jérôme
Laboratory head
Lab’InSight « Bioproducts: from molecules to materials »
Namur, May 25th 2012

2. Fields of Expertise
• Synthesis of metal-free bio-sourced and biodegradable
(co)polyesters for biomedical applications
• Synthesis of biocomposites from natural fibers
• Modification of natural polymers (chitosan)
• Processing of biosourced and/or biodegradable polymers (foams,
composites, blends and nanofibers)
• Valorization of vegetal oils and sugars for polymers and surfactants
Companies potentially interested
• Plastics manufacturers
• Pharmaceutical companies
• Biomedical companies
2
FIELDS OF EXPERTISE
in Bioproducts: from molecules to materials
Namur – May 25th 2012

3. 3
APPLIED RESEARCH PROJECT
Namur – May 25th 2012
PLAGreen, First spin-off project
 bio-active wound-dressings and implants for tissue rejuvenation (skin, bone)
 as resorbable surgical materials (sutures, …)
 drug delivery systems
Drug
Production of polylactide and copolymers of well-defined composition and
of high purity.

4. 4
APPLIED RESEARCH PROJECT
Namur – May 25th 2012
PLAGreen, First spin-off project
Metal Residues
(ppm)
Cr
Co
Sn
Mn
Ni
Pb
Sr
Zn
Al
Cd
Ba
Cu
Fe
< 1.22
< 1.22
< 1.22
< 1.22
< 1.22
< 1.22
< 1.22
< 1.22
< 4
< 0.3
2.27
1.71
2.05
Production of polylactide and copolymers of well-defined composition and of high
purity, especially designed for pharmaceutical formulation.
Really competitive prices
for example: Poly(ethylene glycol)-block-Polylactide (PEO-b-PLA)

5. 5
SERVICES PROVIDED TO COMPANIES
Namur – May 25th 2012
(BIOSOURCED)
MOLECULES
POLYMERS
Polymer-based
MATERIALS
(composite, blends, …)
Polymerization
 Control of molar mass parameters
 Various architectures (linear, star, graft…)
 Functionalization for tailored properties
 Green processes (sc CO2…)
Full
Characterization
Processing
 Foams (sc CO2, HIPE)
 Fibers (electrospinning)
 Particles (nano, micro)
 Films
Properties and
morphologies

6. 6
LAB CONTACT INFORMATION
Prof. Christine Jérôme
Laboratory Head
c.jerome@ulg.ac.be - Phone : +32 4 366 34 91
UNIVERSITY OF LIEGE/Department of chemistry
Center for Education and Research on Macromolecules
Allée du 6 août, 3 – B-4000 Liège
www.cerm.ulg.ac.be
Namur – May 25th 2012
Dr. Philippe Lecomte
Permanent Researcher
p.lecomte@ulg.ac.be - Phone : +32 4 366 34 66