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High Performance Bio-Based Polymers: State of the Art and Challenges in Ending Plastic Waste
On 24 September 2024, FURIOUS and THERMOFIRE hosted their first joint webinar. The event, titled “High Performance Bio-Based Polymers: State of the Art and Challenges in Ending Plastic Waste”, brought together leading experts from both consortia to present advancements in bio-based polymers and their role in addressing plastic waste.
Webinar Highlights
Debora Puglia is the FURIOUS project coordinator and an Associate Professor in Material Science and Technology. Her research focuses on biodegradable polymers and nanocomposites, particularly for food packaging and agricultural applications. She has played key roles in several European research projects and is part of the technical staff at the European Center for Nanostructured Polymers (ECNP).
Nadia Lotti is a Full Professor at the University of Bologna, where her research centers on the chemistry and technology of polymers. Her work includes the synthesis and characterization of polycondensates and modifications of commercial polymers, with a focus on bio-based plastics for food packaging and biomedical applications. She actively participates in national and international research collaborations.
Elvira Villaro Ábalos is the project coordinator of THERMOFIRE and holds a PhD in Chemistry. Specializing in advanced materials, including graphene and 2D nanomaterials, Elvira has over ten years of experience coordinating R&D projects in materials, nanomaterials, and composites. Her work with THERMOFIRE focuses on bio-based fire retardants, an innovative solution in the materials sector.
The roundtable featured a dynamic discussion on the future of bio-based solutions, touching on challenges in scaling these innovations, fostering research-industry collaborations, and improving funding mechanisms.
Missed the event?
You can now access the materials from the webinar by accessing the links in the table below.
| Event |
|---|
| Speaker: Debora Puglia, University of Perugia, FURIOUS project coordinator Introduction to FURIOUS  |  |
| Speaker: Nadia Lotti, University of Bologna FURIOUS preliminary results on furan-based polymers | |
| Speaker: Elvira Villaro Ábalos, AVANZARE Materials - THERMOFIRE project Coordinator THERMOFIRE - Bio-based fire-retardant thermoplastic composites reinforced with natural fibres | |
| Speakers of the event Round table of discussion: potential of bio-based solutions for the future of the industry |