Maxime Charman, co-manager of EMAC, the French leader in the design and production of custom technical rubber compounds

From a Bachelor's degree in Materials Engineering to a PhD in Polymer Physics completed through the French Cifre program within EMAC, the company he now co-manages, Maxime Charman has built his career through a continuous connection with UPPA.

What were the key stages of your academic journey?

I have always been drawn to scientific subjects, particularly chemistry. After completing a scientific baccalaureate, I continued along this path with a University Diploma of Technology (DUT) in Physical Measurements at Paul Sabatier University in Toulouse in 2005. The teaching of physical materials science and its practical applications naturally led me to the Materials Engineering program at UPPA, where I obtained my Bachelor's degree. I then went on to complete a Master's degree in Materials Engineering and Science. I continued with a PhD in Polymer Physics through the Cifre program at EMAC, where I had already completed my Master's internship working on the formulation of nano-filled elastomers (improving the conductivity properties of materials). My studies at UPPA also opened the doors to the IPREM laboratory (Institute of Analytical Sciences and Physico-Chemistry for the Environment and Materials), where I developed my expertise in polymer physics and chemistry.

How does this academic background connect with your professional career?

My professional career has followed a continuous path between UPPA and EMAC. Everything developed through the close relationship between the knowledge base provided by UPPA and its practical application during my internship and Cifre doctoral research at EMAC. My university education gave me an open-minded perspective and a broad range of technical knowledge that complements the specialized field in which I work today. The internships included in each program successfully combine theory and practice. I have maintained close ties with my supervisors and researchers at the IPREM laboratory, and we continue to exchange ideas. I also teach polymer physics courses at UPPA. EMAC is an innovative SME that has focused exclusively on designing formulations and producing tailor-made technical rubber compounds, becoming a market leader in this field. Since September 2025, I have been co-managing the company. I organize open days for students and welcome interns to share our expertise and recruitment needs. A UPPA student is currently completing a Cifre PhD within our company on the formulation of 3D-printable elastomers. My goal is to help sustain local industrial employment through these strong links with the University.

What memories do you have of campus life?

Student life on campus was very enjoyable. It was at UPPA that I met the godfather of my children. Being part of small cohorts made learning easier and helped create lasting friendships.

What message would you like to share with current and future UPPA students?

UPPA is a university on a human scale. It provides personalized support to students throughout their academic journey. The lecturers and staff were always attentive and created many opportunities for discussion and exchange. This support was a real asset in building my career path, as was the presence of high-performing research laboratories affiliated with UPPA. The university’s geographical location opens doors to companies located in smaller towns, where it is entirely possible to combine professional growth with a high quality of life. Fully committing to internships during your studies can also lead to job creation opportunities, as it did in my case.



Interview conducted by Séverine Cuesta

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Master's Degree in Materials Science and Engineering

EMAC