Within the living world, large molecules - made up of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen - are a source of inspiration for mankind.
This has led to the development of a large number of synthetic organic molecules, some of which are used in the composition of polymeric materials such as plastics.
While we can no longer count the benefits these polymeric materials have provided for mankind, we must be concerned about the environmental problems they cause when they cannot be naturally degraded or reused.
It is therefore necessary to rethink the design of such materials to take into account their recycling as part of a circular economy.
This “eco-design” approach is supported by the equipment available within the P2C (Polymer Processing & Characterization) platform.
They allow to develop new recycling solutions and new materials (bio-sourced, composites made from easy-to-depolymerize resins, etc.), process them and then test their performance from a circular economy perspective.
- Find out more about the equipment and analyses available within the platform
- Find out more about the REPREC project - Recycling carbon fibers
Picture credit: Yvan Flamant