In 2025, CIRAM Laboratories celebrates two decades of excellence in materials dating and analysis. Since its creation, the company has established itself as a key player in the art market, archaeology and the biosourced industry, combining scientific rigor and technological innovation.
Company history
Founded in 2005 by Richard Chéret and Dr Olivier Bobin, CIRAM was born of an ambitious vision: to offer high-precision analysis services to the art, archaeology and industry sectors. Based in Martillac on the Bordeaux - Montesquieu Technopole, the company has capitalized on this scientific environment to enrich its skills and develop innovative solutions.
From the outset, CIRAM has distinguished itself by an approach focused on quality and adaptability, responding to the specific needs of each customer. CIRAM has thus defined a new approach based on high scientific standards and constructive dialogue with its partners, in order to offer precise study results and high-quality support. This determination to constantly go the extra mile in scientific expertise has enabled CIRAM to become a leader in several markets, to post sustained growth over the years and to develop its range of services internationally.
Expertise, offers and markets
CIRAM laboratories offer a complete range of analysis and dating services, structured around three main markets.
- Art Market Art market: the laboratory offers analysis and authentication services for art objects, covering a wide range of materials such as wood, ivory, paper, precious metals, ceramics, stones, paintings and glass.
- Archaeology CIRAM works closely with archaeologists to date and analyze artifacts, determining their chronology, provenance, composition and use. Services include carbon-14 dating, TL/OSL dating, anthracology, isotope analysis, organic residue studies and scientific imaging.
- Biosourced Industry Biobased Industry: the laboratory supports manufacturers in the analysis and certification of biobased products, such as biofuels, biopolymers, cosmetics, paints, CSR,CO2 emissions and detergents. Analyses are carried out to internationally recognized standards, ensuring product conformity and quality. CIRAM received its ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation (scope available on www.cofrac.fr) in 2024, a guarantee of the high reliability of its offer.
Teams & contacts
The CIRAM team is made up of passionate specialists, dedicated to innovation and excellence. Among them are doctors of science, engineers and highly qualified technicians, each bringing specific expertise to the projects undertaken. The wide range of skills on CIRAM's teams ensures that laboratory customers receive personalized, rigorous support. CIRAM's sector managers help customers to assess their needs and bring their projects to fruition, in order to meet their expectations as effectively as possible.
CIRAM laboratories cater for a diverse audience, including museums, antique dealers, auction houses, archaeological institutions and industrial companies. This diversity testifies to the laboratory's ability to adapt to the varied needs of its customers. Whether authenticating a work of art, dating an archaeological artifact or certifying the biobased composition of an industrial product, the laboratories are constantly innovating to meet the ever-changing challenges of their partners.
A look back at progress and milestones
Over the years, CIRAM has constantly invested in cutting-edge technologies to improve its services. The acquisition of latest-generation equipment, such as mass spectrometers and advanced imaging devices, has increased the precision and reliability of analyses, while leaving plenty of room for the development of new techniques.
CIRAM's presence at international trade shows reflects its commitment to staying at the forefront of innovation and strengthening its relationships with professionals in the sectors concerned. These participations enable the laboratory to showcase its technological advances, exchange ideas with experts and forge strategic partnerships.
2024 retrospective: 20 years of excellence in materials dating and analysis
- 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 stand and presentation, reinforcing our visibility in the Middle East. Acquisition of a second complete EA-IRMS-Graphitization line, increasing analysis capacity and efficiency. Results to 31/12: 5,203 Carbon 14 samples analyzed over the year, illustrating intense 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.
- Continued presence on the international scene: CIRAM will be taking part in several trade shows and conferences in 2025, including the SAA show in Denver in April, a presentation at the ISGC in La Rochelle in May, a stand and presentation at Biofuels in Brussels in June, and a presence at the EAA show in Belgrade in September. Find out more about the events CIRAM will be attending in 2025 in the News section of the website.
These initiatives illustrate CIRAM's determination to continue innovating and meeting the evolving needs of its customers.
Over the past 20 years, CIRAM has established itself as a trusted partner for art professionals, archaeologists and industrialists. Our commitment to excellence, innovation and customer satisfaction has made us a leader in the field of materials dating and analysis.
Whether you're a scientist, an art professional, an archaeologist or an industrialist, CIRAM's experts are ready to help you with your projects. For any request for analysis or study, contact the laboratory and benefit from the recognized expertise of CIRAM researchers.
