Synthesis and research studies on biopolymers

The project opportunity focuses on the development of advanced, sustainable polymer materials based on renewable resources and circular design principles.

Key activities include the synthesis of fully bio-based non-isocyanate polyurethanes (NIPUs), building on experience from the previous project, where NIPU materials were explored for automotive applications. The work also covers the development of polyurethane (PU) foams and thermoplastics derived from bio-based polyols, enabling reduced reliance on fossil-based feedstocks.

Additional research directions involve the plasticization of natural polymers such as starch and chitosan, as well as polymer modification through grafting and crosslinking techniques to tailor material properties for specific applications.

The project further aims at the development of polyolefin-based vitrimers—crosslinked thermoplastic materials combining mechanical robustness with recyclability—supporting circular economy approaches in polymer engineering.

Overall, the initiative integrates material design, synthesis, and processing to deliver innovative, bio-based, and recyclable polymer solutions for advanced industrial applications.