Plastics in the Circular Economy

We cannot imagine a world without plastics. Plastic products make our daily life safe, healthy and convenient. Besides all the benefits, the current plastics economy gives rise to environmental concerns with respect to fossil oil depletion and plastic waste accumulation. In a circular economy, however, plastics can be redesigned for reusability and recyclability. This book makes the topic of sustainable plastics approachable for students and career starters alike, describing the nature and chemistry of (bio)polymers as well as how to create a closed loop of plastic materials.

Discusses

• the new plastics economy
• chemistry and properties of polymers
• biodegradable plastics and polymers from renewable resources
• and plastics recycling.

Vincent Voet received his PhD degree in 2010 for his research on the synthesis of fluorinated block copolymers at the University of Groningen. At this moment, he is Associate Professor Sustainable Polymers at NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands. His current research interests are (de)polymerization of plastics and vat photopolymerization of sustainable resins.

Rudy Folkersma started his research career at the Dutch Polymer Institute in Eindhoven. Since 2011 he is professor at the Academy Technology & Innovation at NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences, the Netherlands. He has a background in polymer technology, colloid chemistry and thermodynamics. His research and educational work is focusing on (bio)polymers, (bio)composites and recycling of plastics.

Jan Jager has carried out several years of research into various plastics for new yarn developments at Akzo Nobel. He was co-founder of Applied Polymer Innovations (API) and became a professor at NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences in 2012. Within the professorships of Sustainable Polymers and Circular Plastics, he is closely involved in research and education in the field of plastics recycling and the development of new products based on biopolymers.