Project description
Recycling with advanced polymer technology
Plastic waste poses a significant environmental challenge: while it permeates daily life, recycling remains insufficient. Currently, most EU plastic waste ends up in landfills or is incinerated, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. Mechanical recycling of plastics is underused, with less than 10 % of plastic feedstock being recycled due to poor material properties. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the ReBond project will enhance the physical properties of recycled plastics. By using vitrimers – dynamic covalent networks that improve polymer-polymer interfaces and impart self-healing properties to the materials – the project aims to improve recycling efficiency. Specifically, it integrates cutting-edge polymer science, engineering, and comprehensive training to drive forward a circular economy in plastics, harnessing a global team of experts to push the boundaries.
Objective
Despite the ubiquity of plastics in daily life, our capacity to recycle end-of-life plastic products remains limited. Today, most plastic waste collected in the EU is either sent to landfill or incinerated for energy recovery, which releases large amounts of greenhouse gases. A promising strategy for transforming the plastics sector into a circular economy is to increase the amount of plastic waste that is mechanically recycled. However, this amount represents less than 10% of the feedstock used to make new products in the EU, because of poor physical properties. Three formidable challenges are at the origin of this lasting problem: chain degradation during processing, immiscibility of mixtures comprising different kinds of recycled polymers, and reduced ability to efficiently recycle elastomeric materials with permanent bonds. We propose to address them with ReBond, a DN dedicated to developing a versatile platform for reinforcing polymer-polymer interfaces and improving the mechanical properties and processability of recycled plastics. We shall implement a novel strategy based on the use of vitrimers, which are permanent chemical networks comprising thermally-activated dynamic covalent crosslinks. We envision that processing of recycled polymers can be substantially enhanced through the addition of vitrimers. To accomplish this ambitious goal we have devised an interdisciplinary approach involving polymer synthesis, structure, rheology, processing and mechanical properties. A superb training program, spanning polymer chemistry, physics, and engineering, provides trainees with double doctorates and a unique scientific background with access to the state-of-the-art in the field. ReBond assembles an international team of experts from both academia and industry to provide outstanding inter-sectorial experience to the next generation of material scientists and pioneers of circular plastics economy.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- engineering and technology environmental engineering waste management waste treatment processes recycling
- natural sciences chemical sciences polymer sciences
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-DN-JD - HORIZON TMA MSCA Doctoral Networks - Joint Doctorates
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2022-DN-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
1348 LOUVAIN LA NEUVE
Belgium
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.