CIRAM: 20 years of innovation serving art, archaeology and industry
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In 2025, the CIRAM laboratory (Center for Innovation and Research in Analysis and Marking) will celebrate its 20th anniversary. Since its founding, the laboratory has been developing increasingly precise methods. In this way, it supports professionals in the arts, archaeology, and industry in their scientific projects.
In summary:
- Since 2005, CIRAM has been applying its scientific expertise to the dating and analysis of materials for the art market, archaeology, and industry.
- Using state-of-the-art technology, specialized teams, and proven methods, the laboratory supports its clients by providing reliable, accurate analyses that comply with international standards.
- For the past 20 years, CIRAM has continued to grow by investing in innovation, strengthening its teams, and expanding its capabilities to meet the scientific challenges of the future.
Our history: the origins of our company
The CIRAM laboratory was founded in 2005 by Richard Chéret and Dr. Olivier Bobin. Their goal was to revolutionize the scientific approach to art. Then, in 2011, CIRAM established CIRAM Corp in New York. The following year, a strategic partnership was formed in Hong Kong.
The year 2014 marked the opening of our headquarters and laboratory in Martillac, near Bordeaux. In 2017, CIRAM invested in a state-of-the-art carbon-14 dating laboratory. This development enabled us to double our analytical capacity in 2022 and then triple it in 2023.
Since 2020, we have also expanded our expertise in the analysis of industrial materials. This development addresses the growing needs of manufacturers and the diversification of their applications.
Our commitments and values
CIRAM’s teams place scientific integrity, the quality of their analyses, and customer satisfaction at the heart of their work. The laboratory also develops solutions that address sustainable development challenges, particularly through the analysis and certification of bio-based materials.
Expertise, offers and markets
CIRAM Laboratories offers a comprehensive range of analytical and dating services, organized around three main markets.
Art market
The laboratory analyzes and authenticates works of art using carbon-14 dating, thermoluminescence, metallography, microanalysis, and various scientific imaging techniques. Our scientists analyze a wide variety of materials, such as wood, ivory, paper, ceramics, precious metals, paints, stones, paintings, and glass.
Archaeology
CIRAM collaborates with archaeologists to date and analyze artifacts. The laboratory determines their chronology, provenance, composition, and use. Services include carbon-14 dating, TL/OSL dating, isotopic analyses, the study of organic residues, scientific imaging, as well as anthracology and xylology.
Biosourced industry
The laboratory assists manufacturers with the analysis and certification of bio-based products (solids, liquids, and gases), such as biofuels, biopolymers, cosmetics, paints, CSR, CO₂ emissions, and detergents. The teams perform these analyses using radiocarbon and isotopic analyses. They adhere to the ASTM D6866, EN 16640, ISO 16620-2, EN 16785, and ISO 21644 standards. In 2024, CIRAM obtained its ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation (scope available at www.cofrac.fr), a testament to the high reliability of its services.
Teams & contacts
CIRAM’s teams are made up of PhDs in science, engineers, and technicians specializing in dating and materials analysis. This combination of complementary skills allows us to support each project with a rigorous scientific approach tailored to our clients’ needs.
CIRAM works with museums, antique dealers, auction houses, archaeological institutions, research laboratories, and industrial companies. Regardless of the project, our teams provide personalized support. They define the analysis protocol, conduct the studies, and interpret the results.
Retrospective
Over the years, CIRAM has invested in cutting-edge technologies to improve its services. The acquisition of mass spectrometers and advanced imaging devices has enhanced the accuracy and reliability of its analyses. It has also facilitated the development of new techniques.
In addition, CIRAM regularly participates in international trade shows. This participation reflects its commitment to innovation. These events also provide an opportunity to showcase the laboratory’s latest advances, exchange ideas with experts, and develop new partnerships.
A Look Back at 2024
- January: Participation in the BIO 360 trade show in Nantes, with a stand and presentation on advances in the analysis of bio-based materials.
- February: TL-OSL specialist Dr Ninon Taffin recruited to head up the TL-OSL dating laboratory, strengthening in-house expertise.
- April: Participation in the SAA exhibition in New Orleans, consolidating relations with the archaeological community on the American continent.
- August: Participation in the EAA exhibition in Rome, with a stand and sponsorship of the EAA Heritage Prize, affirming CIRAM's commitment to European archaeologists.
- September: CIRAM takes part in the CFIB trade show in Lyon, with a presentation on Carbon 14 and stable isotopes applied to cosmetics, demonstrating the diversity of applications for CIRAM techniques. ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation obtained (scope available on www.cofrac.fr), a guarantee of the quality and reliability of the analyses carried out.
- October: Transition to SME status and election of the first Social and Economic Committee (CSE), reflecting the company's growth and structuring.
- December: Participation in the Heritage Middle East trade show in Abu Dhabi, with a booth and a presentation, boosting visibility in the Middle East. Acquisition of a second complete EA-IRMS-graphitization line, increasing analytical capacity and efficiency. Results as of December 31, 2024: 5,203 Carbon-14 samples analyzed over the year, reflecting a high volume of activity and renewed customer confidence.
Future prospects
In 2025, CIRAM is planning several ambitious projects to strengthen its leading position both locally and internationally.
- Infrastructure expansion: construction of a three-storey, 450 m² extension will start in April, to accommodate new equipment and improve working conditions.
- Strengthening the team: as of January, the team now comprises 16 people, 30% of whom are PhDs, ensuring a high level of expertise.
- Ongoing presence on the international stage: CIRAM will participate in several trade shows and conferences in 2025, including the SAA in Denver, the ISGC in La Rochelle, Biofuels in Brussels, and the EAA in Belgrade.
These projects reflect CIRAM's commitment to continuing its growth while strengthening its scientific capabilities.
For the past 20 years, CIRAM has been supporting professionals in the fields of art, archaeology, and industry with their dating and materials analysis projects. Innovation, scientific rigor, and the quality of its analyses remain at the heart of its development. For any analysis or research requests, contact the laboratory and benefit from the recognized expertise of CIRAM’s researchers.
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