In polymeric materials, a fundamental transition is required towards continuous re-use of non-fossil-based polymeric products. We will focus on existing polymers as well as designing novel polymeric structures more amenable to recycling, including smart monomers that can switch between polymerized and depolymerized states. In addition, we will develop repurposing processes in which polymer wastes are converted to building blocks for new value-added polymeric materials.
We follow the principles of green chemistry during the design stage of new projects. Thus, we employ bio-based reagents for the synthesis of new types of monomers. Furthermore, we try to avoid the use of potentially harmful organic solvents for polymerization reactions by performing these steps either completely solvent-free or with the aid of environmentally friendly solvents.
Through implementation of cleavable chemical bonds into the polymers’ scaffold, we achieve quantitative depolymerization back to the original monomers on demand under energy-efficient conditions. As the monomers are recovered in high purity and yields, they can immediately be reused to prepare fresh polymers with identical properties. This closed-loop chemical recycling strategy paves the way for establishing a circular economy for polymers, which is a cornerstone of sustainable future.