International IRMS User Meeting 2026
Global Research Community Gathers at Elementar Headquarters in Langenselbold
On June 16 and 17, 2026, the headquarters of Elementar Analysensysteme GmbH, once again became the meeting point for the international IRMS community. At the International IRMS User Meeting, we welcomed scientists, researchers, and isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) experts from Italy, Germany, France, Switzerland, Belgium, the Czech Republic, and the United Kingdom. The event provided a platform for exchanging knowledge on the latest developments, innovative methodologies, and practical applications in isotope ratio mass spectrometry.
The two-day meeting featured a distinguished scientific program with presentations by leading researchers from a wide range of disciplines. The event opened with a presentation by Dr. Philipp Schodder of Elementar, who shared the company's latest research in his talk, "Evaluation of Sorbitol as an Endogenous Isotopic Reference Marker Compound for the Detection of C4-Type Sugar Adulteration in Apple Juice." His findings demonstrated how stable isotope analysis can be used to detect food fraud and highlighted the importance of innovative analytical approaches for quality assurance and authenticity testing.
Keynotes on the highest level
One of the event's highlights was the keynote presentation by Dr. François Fourel of Université Claude Bernard Lyon, recipient of the 2025 CNRS Crystal Medal. In his presentation, "The 3 Lives of an Isotopist: Student, Manufacturer, User," he explored the evolution of isotope science from multiple perspectives, spanning education, instrument development, and practical research applications. He also presented "18O/16O Measurements with EA-IRMS: How Purge and Trap Technology Changed the Game," illustrating how technological innovation has significantly advanced the performance of modern isotope analysis.
Additional presentations showcased the broad range of stable isotope applications and their importance across diverse fields of research.
Opportunities for networking
Beyond the scientific sessions, the meeting provided ample opportunities for networking, personal discussions, and the exchange of experiences related to ongoing research projects and everyday laboratory work. Participants particularly appreciated the opportunity to engage directly with fellow users and Elementar's technical experts while exploring new application areas and discussing current analytical challenges.
Positive Feedback from participants
"The overwhelmingly positive feedback demonstrates how valuable personal interaction remains within the international IRMS community," said Kathrin Rosenthal, Sales Specialist IRMS Central Europe at Elementar and organizer of the meeting. “Participants especially appreciated the outstanding scientific quality of the presentations, the open exchange of ideas surrounding current research projects, and the opportunity to discuss practical applications and future developments together.”
In addition to the scientific program, attendees toured Elementar's Langenselbold headquarters, where research and development, manufacturing, application laboratories, quality assurance, service, and sales operate in close collaboration. The visit provided valuable insight into the integrated development process behind Elementar's analytical instrumentation and demonstrated the wide range of research and analytical applications enabled by the company's modern IRMS systems.
"Direct dialogue with our users provides invaluable inspiration for our product development efforts," Rosenthal added. “Meetings like these build trust, foster innovation, and demonstrate the importance of close collaboration between instrument manufacturers and the scientific community in advancing analytical methodologies.”
With the successful International IRMS User Meeting 2026, Elementar once again reaffirmed its commitment to advancing scientific progress through innovative analytical technologies and close collaboration with the global research community.