GREENER is an Interreg project in which several knowledge institutions and companies based in Belgium and the Netherlands work together to contribute to a reduction of the microplastics pollution.
Within the project, biobased and biodegradable polymers are investigated as sustainable alternatives for the widespread and water-soluble polymer polyacrylic acid. In this way, the amount of microplastics that enter our environment can be reduced and only nontoxic naturally occurring compounds are released upon degradation of these polymers. Next to development of these polymers, they are also valorized in a plethora of applications, ranging from superabsorbent materials for construction and 3D-printing for biomedical applications, to cosmetics, paper and coating applications. During this closure event of the GREENER project, you can get to know more about the project goals and how they were reached. All project partners will present their contribution to the project, followed by a networking event where you can meet the project partners and other participating institutions.
Programme
12:30 – 13:00: Registration with lunch
13:00 – 13:15: Interreg presentation
Anne Coenegrachts (Interreg Flanders - the Netherlands)13:15 – 13:30: The GREENER project
Assoc. Prof. Katrien Bernaerts (Sustainable Polymer Synthesis group, Maastricht University)13:30 – 13:50: Amphiphilic copolymers based on poly(aspartic acid)
Sofiya Vynnytska (PhD student, Sustainable Polymer Synthesis group, Maastricht University)13:50 – 14:30: Crosslinkable poly(aspartic acid): from biocompatible hydrogels to superabsorbent polymers
Prof. Lieven Thorrez (Development and Regeneration, KULeuven Campus Kortrijk)
Lauren De Grave (PhD student, Polymer Chemistry and Biomaterials, UGent)14:30 – 14:45: Coffee break
14:45 – 15:05: Testing and understanding of biodegradability
Assoc. Prof. Jules Harings (Macromolecular Physics and Technology, Maastricht University)15:05 – 15:25: Boost coating performance with poly(aspartic acid) copolymers
Jan Cocquyt (Govi)15:25 – 15:45: Poly(aspartic acid) polymers and derivatives for paper applications
Harm Jan Thiewes (Millvision)15:45 – 16:05: Work methodology and results of material development for Additive Manufacturing on DLP Technology
Tom Castermans (Tenco DDM)16:05 – 17:00 h Networking reception