Characterization, compatibilization, processing and properties of recycled polyolefins
CHARACTERIZATION, COMPATIBILIZATION, PROCESSING AND PROPERTIES OF RECYCLED POLYOLEFINS (REPOL) is a European Industrial Doctorate established by a consortium of leading European scientists in the academic and private industrial sector of polymer science and engineering. The University of the Basque Country (SP) and the University of Genova (IT) are the academic beneficiaries while Borealis is the industrial beneficiary (AT). They will collaborate in research-related and transferable training activities, through the execution of individual projects of three early stage researchers (ESRs) with a highly synergic, intersectoral and multidisciplinary approach in the field of polyolefins recycling. Currently, effective and innovative upgrade polyolefins recycling technologies are urgently needed to address global environmental concerns. European industries require skilled researchers to exploit academic knowledge on polymer chemistry, physics, and engineering, and switch innovation and investment from an economic system to an ecological one, driven by circular economy. In this sense, the REPOL project will address these challenges through a combination of fundamental and applied research training programme to enhance the scientific excellence and competitiveness of polymer recycling in Europe. The project aims to develop characterization tools for recycled polyolefins, find novel compatibilization routes, design upgraded recycled postconsumer based blends and nanocomposite blends, and study the scalability of the developed recycled materials. REPOL will become a reference at the International Level, improve R&D capacity between participating organisations and boost synergies and better knowledge transfer between sectors in the area of polymer recycling, by promoting the mobility of ESRs and sustainable training cooperation.