GREENER: dealing with the plastic soup
Microplastics are ubiquitous and pose a growing environmental problem. Everyone has heard of the "plastic soup" in the oceans, where plastic waste breaks down into small particles that end up in our food chain because plankton and marine animals consume micro plastics.
Biobased and biodegradable polymers
Only a small part of the synthetic plastics is recovered or recycled after use. The majority is incinerated, ends up in landfill sites or accumulates in the oceans, contributing to micro plastic pollution. Based on the demand for sustainable alternatives, the GREENER project will develop biobased and biodegradable polymers with the same properties as the widespread water-soluble polyacrylic acid.
GREENER kickoff meeting on 23 September 2019
As a result, fewer micro plastics end up in the environment, and only non-toxic, natural substances are released during degradation. The aim is to valorize these materials in the widest possible range of applications, from superabsorbents in concrete, biomedical materials, cosmetics and paper to coatings.
Interreg V, theme environment
- Total budget:€ 1.547.000
- Interreg contribution: € 773.500,01 (50%)
- Project period: 1 September 2019 - 31 August 2022
- Project manager: Maastricht University
Project partners
Also read
-
Professor Thomas Cleij reappointed as Dean of the Faculty of Science and Engineering
The Executive Board of Maastricht University has reappointed Prof. Dr. Thomas Cleij as Dean of the Faculty of Science and Engineering. Thomas will continue to lead the faculty until March 2031.
-
National inspiration guide on societal engagement training programmes features FSE’s SciCom Incubator programme
A new inspiration guide shows how training helps researchers incorporate societal engagement in their careers, building on examples implemented at five different universities.
-
Suzie: "What is happening in my home country keeps me up at night"
From Maastricht, Suzie Nzekui is fighting for women in her home country, Cameroon. With her feminist women's collective and Master’s in Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, she is working to improve healthcare for women.
