Plastic Circulation and Sustainable Manufacturing

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Our research is driven by the overarching goal of advancing sustainable practices and technologies in the plastic and flexible packaging industry. We are dedicated to finding innovative solutions that not only meet the global plastics demand but also reduce the human and environmental burden associated with plastic production and waste.

Eco-friendly Technology for Plastic Circularity

We are dedicated to finding efficient ways to pre-treat and reclaim multi-layered polymer materials and flexible packaging currently in production. Our approach involves utilizing environmentally friendly solvents, such as supercritical fluids, to chemically treat and break down plastics while minimizing harm to the environment.

 

Valorization of Plastic Waste

We develop a novel approach for repurposing challenging-to-degrade flexible packaging wastes through physical and chemical processing. This innovative process aims to functionalize wastes and integrate them into new packaging materials, valuable composites, and infrastructure-based products, contributing to sustainable waste management and resource utilization.

 

Environmental Footprint of Waste

Our research delves into understanding the composition and behavior of emerging airborne and waterborne plastic waste, including microplastics, nanoplastics, and associated organic compounds, throughout the entire lifecycle of plastic production. This knowledge allows us to develop more effective strategies for waste management and mitigation.

 

Occupational Safety and Health

We are committed to developing processes that can selectively detect analytes present in the air phase, particularly those related to plastic production and manufacturing. By identifying and monitoring these airborne compounds, we aim to enhance our understanding of their environmental impact and contribute to the development of targeted solutions.

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