OVERVIEW

This teaching provides an in-depth overview of circular economy principles with a specific focus on the polymer lifecycle. Key topics include conventional and emerging recycling methods, sustainable design strategies for polymeric materials, and the development of new materials following the principles of green chemistry.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The teaching provides the means for acquiring knowledge and comprehension of diverse Polymer Recycling Technologies. This encompasses a comprehensive examination of conventional methodologies, namely mechanical, chemical, and thermal processes, alongside contemporary innovations, inclusive of sophisticated sorting and purification techniques. Additionally, students will understand the environmental and economic advantages associated with the implementation of a Circular Economy paradigm, specifically within the context of polymer recycling. Furthermore, they will actively engage with industry experts through seminars and presentations. This interactive discourse aims to facilitate the understanding of prevailing trends, challenges, and achievements in polymer recycling. Insights gleaned from Industry representatives will contribute to gain a profound insight into the intricacies inherent in various recycling processes.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The teaching aims to provide fundamental theoretical and practical knowledge of polymer design and end-of-life management. Students will explore how the chemical structure of different polymers affects their recyclability and degradability, and will be introduced to the basic principles for designing sustainable materials. During laboratory sessions, students will gain hands-on experience in correlating polymer structure with end-of-life behaviour.

By the end of the course, students will:

• Understand core concepts of circular economy applied to polymers
• Master basic strategies for sustainable material design
• Gain practical experience in the synthesis, recycling, and degradation of plastics. 

PREREQUISITES

To achieve the teaching goals successfully, a preexisting basic knowledge of polymer science is requested.

TEACHING METHODS

• Lectures (40 hours: classroom + industrial seminar - 5 CFU)
• Laboratory Experience (13 hours, mandatory attendance - 1CFU)

The course includes 40 hours of classroom teaching, focusing on core concepts related to circular economy and sustainability, particularly the recycling and degradation of polymers and the design of sustainable materials. Lectures will be complemented by seminars held by representatives from industry and academia, presenting real-world case studies.

In the laboratory sessions, students will work in small groups to apply the theoretical knowledge gained during the lectures. They will use various methods for the recycling and synthesis of degradable materials and investigate their degradation behaviour. Students will also become familiar with relevant software tools.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Lectures will focus on circular economy concepts: impacts of plastic waste managment from both economic and environmental perspectives;  Polymer waste treatment, including sorting, mechanical recycling, and chemical recycling methods; Biodegradable plastics: definitions and degradation mechanisms. Focus on selected polymer classes: polyhydroxyalkanoates, polyesters, cellulose- and lignin-based polymers, chitin and chitosan, polyelectrolytes, and protein-based polymers; Economic aspects of bio-derived and biodegradable plastics.

Laboratory activities and examples:
– Synthesis of bio-derived hydrogels and their application in water remediation
– Synthesis and degradation of starch-based polymers
– Chemical recycling of PET

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

The slides of the teaching are made available in the Aulaweb page of the teaching in which other study and in-depth resources are made available as well as guidelines and materials to support laboratory activities. All the course materials will be available to the students. 

·Dimitris I. Collias, Martin I. James, John M. Layman, Circular Economy of Polymers: Topics in Recycling, ACS Symposium Series, Vol. 1391, 2021- DOI: 10.1021/bk-2021-1391

·Michiel Dusselier and Jean-Paul Lange, Biodegradable Polymers in the Circular Plastics Economy, Wiley 2022- SBN: 978-3-527-34761-2

·Stephan Kabasci, Biobased Plastics: Materials and applications, Wiley, 2014 – ISBN 978-1-119-99400-8

·Natalie Rudolph, Raphael Kiesel, Chuanchom Aumnate, Understanding Plastics Recycling: Economic, Ecological, and Technical Aspects of Plastic Waste Handling, Hanser Publications, 2017 - ISBN: 978-1-56990-676-7

·Rezgar Hasanzadeh, Parisa Mojaver, Plastic Waste Treatment and Management: Gasification processes, Springer, 2023, ISBN: 978-3-031-31159-8

·Vincent Voet, Jan Jager, Rudy Folkersma, Plastics in the Circular Economy, De Gruyter, 2021, SBN 978-3-11-066675-5

·Katrina Knauer, Circular Plastics Technologies, De Gruyter, 2024, ISBN 978-1-5015-2328-1

·Zhen Fang, Richard L. Smith Jr, Lujiang Xu, Production of Biofuels and Chemicals with Pyrolysis, Springer, 2020, ISBN 978-981-15-2731-9

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

First semester: tentatively, first/second wee of October. For further details/updates, please check https://corsi.unige.it/en/corsi/11767

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam consists of a written test covering the topics discussed during the course. It will include both multiple-choice questions, which will account for approximately 60% of the final mark, and short open questions, which will account for the remaining 40%.

In case of emergency and only according to specific indications by the University of Genoa, the assessment method for the exam might be changed, including the possibility of an online procedure.

Students with disabilities or specific learning disorders are reminded that, in order to request exam accommodations, it is first necessary to upload the relevant certification on the University website at servizionline.unige.it under the "Studenti" section. The documentation will be verified by the University's Office, as outlined on the federated website at the link: SUSTAINABLE POLYMER AND PROCESS CHEMISTRY 11767 | Studenti con disabilità e/o DSA | UniGe | Università di Genova | Corsi di Studio UniGe.

After that, students must send an email well in advance (at least 10 days) before the exam date to the instructor responsible for the exam. The email must also be copied to both the School Inclusion Representative for Students with Disabilities and specific learning disorders (sergio.didomizio@unige.it) and the Office mentioned above. The email must include the following details:

• The name of the course
• The date of the exam session
• The student’s surname, first name, and student ID number
• The requested compensatory tools and dispensatory measures deemed necessary

The inclusion representative will confirm to the instructor that the student is entitled to request accommodations for the exam and that these should be agreed upon with the instructor. The instructor will then reply confirming whether the requested accommodations can be granted.

Requests must be sent at least 10 days before the exam date to allow the instructor sufficient time to evaluate them. In particular, if the student intends to use concept maps during the exam (which must be significantly more concise than those used for studying), failure to meet the deadline may prevent any necessary revisions from being made in time.

For further information on requesting services and accommodations, please refer to the document: Guidelines for Requesting Services, Compensatory Tools, and/or Dispensatory Measures and Specific Aids.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The aim of the exam is to verify the achievement of the intended learning objectives. If these objectives are not met, the student will be encouraged to further study the topics, with the support of the teacher’s explanations, and attempt the exam again. During the laboratory classes, teachers will assess the extent of students' participation and their capability in conducting experimental work. The exam will ascertain whether the student has attained an adequate level of knowledge on the course topics, with particular reference to polymer processing and the correlations between manufacturing conditions and properties.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Please contact the professor for any information not included in the course syllabus.