The 14th European Symposium on Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry (ESTAC 14) was held in Split, Croatia, from September 15 to 18, 2026. The award ceremony for the Rigaku–ICTAC Promising Researcher Award 2026, sponsored by Rigaku, took place during the symposium. 

Learn more about Rigaku’s sponsorship of the ICTAC Awards 

  • Award winner: Dr. Juan Ivorra-Martínez, Universitat Politècnica de València 
  • Reason for the award: Dr. Ivorra-Martínez has achieved outstanding research results by applying thermal analysis and calorimetry techniques to the development of sustainable polymeric materials and biocomposites. He was particularly recognized for contributing to the practical application of advanced materials for reducing environmental impact and enabling a circular economy by characterizing the thermal properties of recycled materials and bio-based polymers, as well as elucidating their processability and durability. 
▲ From left: Prof. Matko Erceg (Chair of ESTAC 14 and Vice President of ESTAC), Prof. Luis Pérez-Maqueda (President of ICTAC), Dr. Juan Ivorra-Martínez (award recipient), and Dr. Tadashi Arii (Rigaku)