CIRAM: 20 years of innovation serving art, archaeology and industry
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In 2025, the CIRAM laboratory (Center for Innovation and Research for Analysis and Marking) celebrates its 20th anniversary. Since its creation, the laboratory has been developing ever more precise methods. It thus supports professionals in art, 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 ambition was to revolutionize the scientific approach in the field of art. Then, in 2011, CIRAM created CIRAM Corp in New York. The following year, a strategic partnership was concluded in Hong Kong.
The year 2014 marked the inauguration 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 allowed for a doubling of analysis capacity in 2022, and then a tripling in 2023.
Since 2020, we have also developed our expertise in the analysis of industrial materials. This evolution meets the growing needs of industrialists and the diversification of their applications.
Our commitments and values
CIRAM's teams place scientific integrity, quality of analyses, and client satisfaction at the heart of their missions. The laboratory also develops solutions that address sustainable development challenges, particularly through the analysis and certification of materials biobased.
Expertise, offers and markets
CIRAM laboratories offer a comprehensive range of analysis and dating services, structured around three main markets.
Art market
The laboratory analyzes and authenticates art objects using carbon 14, thermoluminescence, metallography, microanalysis, and several 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, origin, composition, and use. Services include carbon-14 dating, TL/OSL dating, isotopic analyses, organic residue study, scientific imaging, as well as anthracology and xylology.
Industry biobased
The laboratory supports industrial clients in the analysis and certification of products biobased (solids, liquids, and gases), such as biofuels, biopolymers, cosmetics, paints, SRF, CO₂ emissions, and detergents. The teams perform these analyses using radiocarbon and isotopic analysis. They apply 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 on www.cofrac.fr), a guarantee of the high reliability of its services.
Teams & contacts
CIRAM's teams bring together doctors of science, engineers, and technicians specializing in dating and materials analysis. This complementarity of skills allows each project to be supported with a rigorous scientific approach tailored to client needs.
CIRAM supports museums, antique dealers, auction houses, archaeological institutions, research laboratories, and industrial companies. Whatever the project, the teams offer personalized support. They define the analysis protocol, carry out the studies, and then 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 strengthened the accuracy and reliability of analyses. It has also fostered the development of new techniques.
Furthermore, CIRAM regularly participates in international trade shows. This presence reflects its commitment to innovation. They also make it possible to present the laboratory's advancements, exchange with experts, and develop new partnerships.
Looking back at 2024
- January:Participation in the BIO 360 trade show in Nantes, with a stand and a presentation on advances in materials analysis biobased.
- February: Recruitment of Dr. Ninon Taffin, a specialist in TL-OSL, who takes charge of the TL-OSL dating laboratory, strengthening internal expertise.
- April: Participation in the SAA conference in New Orleans, strengthening relationships with the archaeological community of the American continent.
- August:Participation in the EAA fair in Rome, with a stand and sponsorship of the EAA Heritage Prize, affirming CIRAM's commitment to European archaeologists.
- September:Presentation at the CFIB trade show in Lyon, with a talk on Carbon 14 and stable isotopes applied to cosmetics, demonstrating the diversity of CIRAM techniques' applications. ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation obtained (scope available on www.cofrac.fr), a guarantee of the quality and reliability of the analyses performed.
- 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 exhibition in Abu Dhabi, with a stand and a presentation, strengthening visibility in the Middle East. Acquisition of a second complete EA-IRMS-Graphitization line, increasing analysis capacity and efficiency. Balance as of December 31, 2024: analysis of 5,203 Carbon 14 samples 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: the construction of a 450 m² three-level extension will begin in April and will allow for the accommodation of new equipment and the improvement of working conditions.
- Team strengthening: as of January, the team now has 16 people, 30% of whom hold doctorates, ensuring a high level of expertise.
- Continued presence on the international stage: CIRAM will participate in several trade shows and conferences in 2025, including SAA in Denver, ISGC in La Rochelle, Biofuels in Brussels, and EAA in Belgrade.
These projects reflect CIRAM's desire to continue its development while strengthening its scientific capabilities.
For 20 years, CIRAM has been supporting professionals in art, archaeology, and industry in their material dating and analysis projects. Innovation, scientific rigor, and the quality of analyses remain at the heart of its development. For any analysis or study request, contact the laboratory and benefit from the recognized expertise of CIRAM researchers.
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