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Polymer Processes: Extrusion Meets Analytics (CA)

Anton Paar, in collaboration with the Irvine Materials Research Institute (IMIR) and Center for Complex and Active Materials (CCAM) presents an immersive Polymer Processing Seminar that connects practical polymer processing with advanced material characterization.

This full-day seminar guides participants through the entire polymer processing workflow — from raw material analysis and formulation development to compounding, extrusion, and comprehensive material characterization.

Together with Anton Paar experts, you will select and inspect raw materials, compound a masterbatch and develop a formulation, followed by the extrusion of a polymer film. After extrusion, you will perform a complete material characterization using a variety of analytical techniques to evaluate thermal, rheological, and structural properties.

Key takeaways:

  • Half-day of theoretical sessions led by Anton Paar experts covering the fundamentals of polymer rheology, thermal behavior, spectroscopy, and much more
  • Half-day of practical, hands-on sessions focusing on real polymer processing and testing workflows
  • Live demonstrations on rheology, thermal analysis (DSC, DMA), FTIR & Raman spectroscopy, moisture analysis and solid density measurement
  • Opportunity to bring your own samples for live measurement and discussion
  • Direct access to global specialists in polymer science, processing, and material testing

Why attend:

Experience the entire polymer process chain first-hand, from raw material analysis and formulation to compounding, extrusion, and material characterization. Learn directly from Anton Paar’s polymer experts and gain practical insights into how advanced analytics support each processing step. This seminar is a rare opportunity to work hands-on with state-of-the-art instruments, exchange ideas with global specialists, and connect with peers from research, development, and quality assurance — all driven by a shared passion for polymer innovation. 

Mr. Florian Fekonja, Mr. Christoph Pielen, PhD Kiana Shirzad, Mr. Marius Kempf (Language: English)

Program:

Venue: Irvine, California, United States, University of California Irvine, Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Building (ISEB) 1310
Number of participants: 50
Costs: Free of charge
End of registration: 9 Apr 2026

Contact person and registration:
Mary Franck
Tel.: 8045501051302
mary.franck[at]anton-paar.com

Florian Fekonja

Mr. Florian Fekonja, working as the Product Manager for FTIR Spectrometers - Lyza 5000 Wine and Lyza 7000. He brings a wealth of experience, having previously managed the product portfolio for Inline Viscosity Measurement. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Petroleum Engineering and a Master's degree in Industrial Management and Business Administration, specializing in the Petroleum Industry.

Christoph Pielen

After earning his degree from RWTH Aachen University in Germany, Christoph Pielen joined Brabender GmbH in 2012 as an Application Specialist. He later becoming Laboratory Manager and then President of Brabender CWB in the U.S., where he supported ASTM standard development and customer applications. Following Brabender's 2023 acquisition by Anton Paar, Christoph now serves as Lead Scientist for Texture and Extrusion at Anton Paar USA.

Outside work, Christoph enjoys traveling, skiing, and spending time with his two children, Alexander and Victoria, while pursuing his passion for aviation and space exploration.

Kiana Shirzad

Kiana Shirzad is an Application Scientist for Rheology and Extrusion at Anton Paar. She earned her PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of California, Merced, where she focused on polymers and advanced material characterization methods. Her expertise lies in applying rheological techniques to understand complex material behavior and supporting customers in their research and industrial applications.

Marius Kempf

Marius Kempf holds a Diploma in Industrial Engineering (Dipl.-Wirtsch.-Ing. FH) with a focus on product development and marketing and brings more than two decades of professional experience in technology-driven environments. His career spans from hands-on technical roles in optics and hearing acoustics to senior leadership positions in product management. He has successfully led product portfolios, driven international product launches across Europe, North America, and APAC, managed cross-functional teams, and delivered measurable business impact, including revenue growth and process optimization initiatives. In his current role as Product Manager Raman at Anton Paar OptoTec GmbH he is responsible for the strategic development of the product and service portfolio of benchtop Raman spectrometers, oversees the global sales budget, defines market and product requirements, and manages the entire product lifecycle in close collaboration with sales, development, production, and marketing.