SCOPE:
Polymers are the backbone of the global economy because of their wide range of applications. They hold the majority of the global polymer market due to their affordability, light weight, variety of properties, and ease of manufacturing. Regrettably, the planet’s pollution and climate change have been greatly exacerbated by the exponential rise in the production of plastics. The aim of this project is to develop green and sustainable photochemical upcycling processes for plastic waste into high-value chemicals. To achieve this, new materials will be tested, and the valorization and recycling of biobased polymers will also be conducted. A continuous flow process will be developed to enhance productivity and scale up these protocols. Finally, in silico studies will be conducted to understand the reaction mechanisms, aiming for a zero-waste circular (bio)economy.