Catalytic Conversion of Waste to Value

Heavy dependence on fossil feedstocks, increasing emissions and waste generation are pressing contemporary societal challenges and scientific progress is needed more than ever to ensure a future for generations to come.

Innovations in organic synthesis and material science can provide new methods for valorization of waste in sustainable processes that minimize fossil dependence and enable circular flows.

The purpose of the outlined research is to design new catalytic methods for converting waste streams to valuable materials.

In specific, the project targets valorization of lignin-sourced vanillin for production of non-toxic bis- and trisphenols for use in e.g. plastics and coatings, as well as chemical separation of mixed cotton/synthetic fibres to enable recycling of mixed textile waste.

The research is supported by promising preliminary results using a class of non-toxic and water-stable Lewis acidic catalysts and integrated use of kinetic analysis provides mechanistic insights that enable rational method development, guided by the principles of Green Chemistry.

The research is set in the context of UN Agenda 2030’s Sustainability Goal #12 (Responsible consumption and production) with implications for #3 (Good health and well-being) and #9 (Industry, innovation and infrastructure).

The strategic partnership between organic synthesis, polymer science, wood science, process chemistry and toxicology will result in sustainable and practical methods of high societal impact.