Day 1, lecture block

09:00 Prof. Frederik R. Wurm Group leader of Sustainable Polymer Chemistry (SPC) at the University of Twente (UT – Enschede, NL)

Introduction to “bioplastics“: Power and weakness of biodegradable and biobased polymers
 

11:00 Prof. G. Julius Vancso Emeritus Chair of Materials Science and Technology of Polymers (MTP) at the UT

The characterization challenge of sustainable plastics

12:00 Lunch

13:00 Dr. Wilma Dierkes Associate Professor of the Elastomer Technology and Engineering group at the UT

Elastomers: Sustainability vs. durability

 

14:30 Dr. Andras Bartos Research Scientist at Sulis Polymers B.V. (Enschede, NL)

Multicomponent systems with natural constituents: Properties & processing

 

16:00 Dr. Hubert Gojzewski Assistant Professor of the Sustainable Chemistry Group (SPC) at the UT

3D printing with polymers: How sustainable can it be?

 

Day 2, lecture block

09:00 Dr. Joost Duvigneau Assistant Professor of Sustainable Chemistry Group (SPC) at the UT

Recycling of plastics: Opportunities and challenges for a sustainable and circular carbon-based economy

 

11:00 Prof. Dr. Miroslawa el Fray Head of Division of Functional Materials and Biomaterials at the University of Szczecin (PL)

Sustainable polymeric composites for disposable medical devices

 

13:00 Lunch
 

14:00 Dr. Carolin Völker Head of Junior Research Group PlastX, Institute for Social-Ecological Research (ISOE) (Frankfurt, DE)

Plastics in the environment - dangerous or harmless? An ecotoxicological consideration

 

16:00 Prof. Dr. Boelo Schuur Professor in the cluster Process & Catalysis Engineering at the UT

Life cycle assessment for polymers and polymer products: Impact of different end-of-life scenarios

 

18:30 Dinner and round-table discussion, closure of the lecture block​

 

Day 3, hands-on block

Melt processing: Focus will be laid on practical aspects of melt processing-related issues that may occur during manufacturing of eco-friendly plastics using an internal mixer. Moisture- and heat sensitivity of biocomponents and consequences will be elucidated.
 

Life cycle assessment (LCA): As a representative example for social and environmental life cycle assessments, a case study will be performed illustrating the global value chain involving cellulosic polymers (jeans) as a showcase from the textile sector.

The participants will be separated into two groups, switching topics after lunch (~12:30). Closure of the hands-on block at 17:00