INTROP, 9 July 2025 – The Institute of Tropical Forestry and Forest Products (INTROP), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), organised the WOBIC 2025 Pre-Conference Workshop titled Thermal and Chemical Characterizations of Polymeric Materials, aimed at enhancing participants’ knowledge and skills in the use of advanced equipment for polymeric material analysis. The workshop focused on two main objectives: providing theoretical knowledge on the Thermogravimetric Analyzer (TGA), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and Thermogravimetric Analyzer-Infrared (TGA-IR); and offering participants the opportunity to operate the equipment and analyse the resulting data.

This initiative aimed to equip participants with an in-depth understanding of thermal and chemical characterization techniques for polymeric materials, thereby strengthening their capabilities in material selection, product development, and technical problem-solving.

In industry, the application of TGA, FTIR, and TGA-IR plays a crucial role in quality control, research and development (R&D), product lifespan determination, and the innovation of new materials that meet stringent safety and sustainability standards. These instruments are widely used in the automotive, aerospace, construction, packaging, electronics, and medical sectors, where the performance of polymeric materials is a critical factor in product success.

The workshop featured a presentation by Associate Professor Dr. Norizah Abdul Rahman from the Faculty of Science, UPM, who spoke on Thermal Characterizations of Polymeric Materials and Introduction to the Thermogravimetric Analyzer (TGA). She emphasised the importance of TGA in determining the thermal stability and degradation behaviour of polymeric materials. According to her, this understanding is essential to ensure proper material

selection, optimise manufacturing processes, and extend product lifespan. In industry, TGA analysis is widely applied in quality control, the development of new materials, and the evaluation of polymer durability in applications such as automotive, construction, and consumer products.

Following this, Associate Professor Dr. Abdul Halim Abdullah from the Faculty of Science, UPM, presented a session on FTIR Analysis in Materials Chemistry.

He explained how the use of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) enables comprehensive chemical analysis of materials, including changes occurring during degradation. This technology allows researchers to identify functional groups and chemical compounds, understand reaction mechanisms, and assess the suitability of materials for specific applications. In industry, FTIR is used for quality control, raw material verification, and the development of environmentally

friendly, high-quality polymer formulations, as well as in advanced materials research for the automotive, aerospace, packaging, and medical sectors.

The workshop also featured a hands-on session led by Ms. Choo Siao Yie from Nexus Analytics, representing the industry. Participants had the opportunity to operate TGA and FTIR equipment themselves, gaining direct experience in analysis procedures and data interpretation. According to the organisers, the workshop served as an important platform for bringing together academics, researchers, and industry professionals to share expertise and the latest technologies in polymer characterization. It is also expected to enhance participants’ capabilities in conducting research and applying polymer-based materials in industrial settings more effectively.

With its comprehensive coverage of both theoretical and practical aspects, the workshop concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session, further strengthening participants’ understanding of the techniques and equipment discussed.

Date of Input: 19/08/2025 | Updated: 19/08/2025 | amallina.osman