Objective
Polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene make up more than 50% of global polymer production and are thus a major contributor to waste accumulation in the environment. Classical recycling via melting and reshaping usually leads to a lower quality product. Chemical recycling is proposed as solution, in which the chemical bonds of the polymer are broken to obtain chemical building blocks. It is most desired to produce monomers to make high quality polymers again. However, for polyolefins the state-of-the-art pyrolysis requires high temperatures and only produces a mixed product oil, which can be used as refinery input but not to make polymers directly.
In my ERC StG project IMPACT, I investigate the fundamental mechanism of polyolefin conversion directly to its monomers. I showed that my novel surface activated mechano-catalyst can steer the radical depolymerization pathway to monomers below 50 ˚C in a ball mill reactor. This produces less than 30 different chemical species in contrast to the hundreds of different species obtained with pyrolysis. The current results are obtained with pure polymers at the gram-scale and in batch operation. Industrial tonne-scale ball mills exist, e.g. in the cement industry for grinding. However, these are rotary ball mills in contrast to our lab-based shaker geometry.
In this project, I will build on the results of my ERC StG and demonstrate this technology using realistic plastic waste, at the kg-scale, using a rotary ball mill and develop continuous operation. In addition, a relationship between milling parameters and production rate will be developed to predict energy requirements and thus commercial viability, scalability and sustainability of the process. Product purification and reuse to make new polymers will also be demonstrated.
Together with my existing patents on the surface activated mechano-catalyst, this project will enable upscaling and commercialization with our spin out company and industrial partners.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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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.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
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-ERC-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept Grants
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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) ERC-2026-POC
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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.
3584 CS Utrecht
Netherlands
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.