Updated on 3 November 2026
Synthesis and research studies on biopolymers
Head of Advanced Materials and Circular Economy Research Group at Łukasiewicz ICSO
Kędzierzyn-Koźle, Poland
About
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.
Topic
- HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-07: Improving biomass flows for a sustainable and circular bioeconomy
Similar opportunities
Project cooperation
Damian Kiełkiewicz
Head of Advanced Materials and Circular Economy Research Group at Łukasiewicz ICSO
Kędzierzyn-Koźle, Poland
Project cooperation
Bio-based functional additives, polyurethanes and circular construction materials
- HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-02: Enhancing ecodesign and circularity of construction products
Katarzyna Zielińska
Head of Chemical Processes and Technologies Research Group at Łukasiewicz ICSO
Kędzierzyn-Koźle, Poland
Project cooperation
Circular recycling & upcycling of textiles, plastics, and/or biobased materials
- HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-03: Developing novel recycling technologies for complex plastic materials applying biotech solutions
- HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-05: Innovative circular solutions for end-of-life footwear through collection, sorting and recycling
- HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-09: Increasing the circularity of bio-based sector: upcycling and recycling for higher value and environmental benefits
Lien Van der Schueren
Project Manager at Centexbel
Zwijnaarde, Belgium