果冻传媒

Working together with industry on solving current and future challenges is not only very inspiring but is also a way to accelerate innovation.

Last week Martin Jung, President Performance Materials at BASF and Volker Schaedler, Vice-president PU R&D at BASF Polyurethanes Europe visited our Polymer Performance Materials group of Professor 沤eljko Tomovi膰 and scientist from ICMS. At ICMS Professors Bert Meijer, Albert Schenning, Patrick Anderson and Rint Sijbesma updated him on their polymer research. The visit was very inspirational for all parties.

Polymers are central materials for our present and future society which have enabled us to improve the quality of all aspects of our daily life. However, our lifestyle also generates serious problems due to the ways in which we use polymers. Most polymers are discarded after use, rarely recycled, and end up in landfills, rivers, and oceans. This fate is a typical example of the current linear and fossil-based produce-use-discard value chain that causes enormous environmental pollution. Therefore, a fundamental transition is required in the field of polymeric materials from synthesis out of fossil-based feedstock and one time use to continuous re-use of polymeric products. The focus of our research is on existing polymers as well as on designing novel polymeric structures more amenable to recycling, including smart new monomers that can switch between polymerized and depolymerized states, using energy efficient processes. The key is incorporation of suitable degradable functional groups or smart monomers into the polymers in their design stage (鈥漝esign for recycling鈥欌�� approach). The ultimate aim is a proof concept for 鈥榗losed-loop recycling. In addition, we develop repurposing processes in which polymer wastes are converted to building blocks for new value-added polymeric materials. In collaboration with industry, and in line with their strategy, research will be initiated to increase the share of recycled material polymer products, in order to create a circular economy for future business.

As Martin Jung did his PhD in our department about 25 years ago, his visit was not only to be informed about our current polymer research but also a 鈥榯rip down memory lane鈥� meeting people he worked with back in those days. And he also reached out to today鈥檚 PhD students during a group discussion to be informed of their views and share the needs from industry. 鈥淗ere at my old stomping grounds, I connected with brilliant researchers and enthusiastic PhD students in Prof. 沤eljko Tomovi膰s research group who share our passion for sustainable innovation in the plastics industry. It was great to meet young talents who want to shape the future of chemistry and its contribution to society, and experience the fantastic development of 果冻传媒 as part of the Brainport Eindhoven.鈥�, stated Mr. Jung.