Project
Biobased materials and chemicals for relieving and replacing the fossil feedstock system
The transformation of the current linear (mainly fossil based) chemical and materials production chains to a sustainable renewable circular system requires a radical rethinking and redesign of feedstock production, (bio)chemical conversion, materials and chemicals production, as well as integrated reuse strategies. This project aims to develop insights, models and roadmaps to achieve the transition to a viable, sustainable and circular biobased economy.
The goal of this project is to develop a long-term integral strategy to come to a sustainable, circular economy based on bio-renewable chemicals and materials by addressing various fundamental aspects of the entire carbon cycle. By identifying the possibilities of the crops/feedstocks side (supply) and the requirements from the circular application side (demand), it will become possible to make an inventory of the (bio)chemical conversion technologies available (and required) for closing the production cycles. By combining expertises ranging from crop-science to chemistry and materials science, as well as state-of-the-art modelling methods, this project will create a roadmap for a viable transition to a circular economy.
Publications
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Recommendations for replacing PET on packaging, fiber, and film materials with biobased counterparts
Green Chemistry (2021), Volume: 23, Issue: 22 - ISSN 1463-9262 - p. 8795-8820. -
Environmental Impacts of End-of-Life Options of Biobased and Fossil-Based Polyethylene Terephthalate and High-Density Polyethylene Packaging
Sustainability (2022), Volume: 14, Issue: 18 - ISSN 2071-1050 -
Fermentation for the production of biobased chemicals in a circular economy : a perspective for the period 2022-2050
Green Chemistry (2022), Volume: 24, Issue: 17 - ISSN 1463-9262 - p. 6373-6405. -
Overview of the mechanical, thermal and barrier properties of biobased and/or biodegradable thermoplastic materials
Polymer Testing (2022), Volume: 116 - ISSN 0142-9418 -
How to account for environmental consequences of plastics recycling in the future?
In: Book of Abstracts. The 11th Conference on Life Cycle Management - p. 588-588. -
Strategic selection tool for thermoplastic materials in a renewable circular economy: Identifying future circular polymers
Sustainable Production and Consumption (2023), Volume: 38 - ISSN 2352-5509 - p. 174-185.