Packaging waste is one of the principal sectors that has an important impact on plastic pollution, due to the increasing plastic packages production and complex recycling operations. For these reasons, the European Commission launching its Green Deal has set as an ambitious target the increase of plastic packaging recycling up to 55% by 2030. However, recycling of packaging is still a scientific challenge, mainly because they are made of several layers of different materials. Even monomaterial plastics (e.g., PET or PE films) have printed layers or coatings, which hinder efficient recycling and reuse, especially because they are thermoset, thus insoluble and non-reprocessable. In this scenario, this project focuses on printed plastic packaging and wants to contribute to its complete recycling by developing inks and coatings that can be easily depolymerized and detached from their plastic substrates at the end of the packaging's life. The inks and coatings to be developed will be processable through radiation curing technologies, which are in the area of green technologies for their sustainable characteristics: no use of solvents, processing at room temperature, high productivity. Efforts will be made to ensure that their curing and adhesion to substrates are reversible. In the field of inks and coatings, therefore, the objective of the project will implement a sustainable and circular industrial economy.

The PhD candidate should preferably have an education in Materials Science or Engineering, Chemistry, or Environmental Engineering. A background in polymer synthesis, processing and characterization, photopolymers, polymer recycling is also welcome, as well as knowledge on resource criticality and LCA. A good knowledge of English is required.Practical attitude for the lab activities, problem-solving skills, and high motivation to learn through advanced research are recommended. Moreover, adaptability in different environments and positive interactions with the other groups members are appreciated.

The activities of the Research Team POLYMAT are mostly addressed to the synthesis, modification and characterization of polymers prepared by photoinduced processes. The POLYMAT laboratory is fully equipped for carrying out the synthesis of polymers by photopolymerization and crosslinking, the preparation of polymeric and composite films and membranes, and the characterization of polymeric materials (e.g., FT-IR, DSC, rheometer, DMA, SEM, permeometer, contact angle meters are available). For the project, researchers will also have full access to the department (Department of Applied Science and Technology) central facilities, and will benefit from its multidisciplinary environment.