EuChemS Historical Landmarks Award

Un Premio Nobel per un grande Futuro | Conferenze @ Dipartimento “G. Natta”
Chairperson: Prof. Maurizio S. Galimberti
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CIRCOLARITÀ

Tiziano Faravelli | Politecnico di Milano
Vincenzo Lumia | Federchimica - PlasticsEurope Italia
Stefano Turri | Politecnico di Milano
Marinella Levi | Politecnico di Milano

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New perspectives for thermal recycling of plastics

Tiziano Faravelli
Tiziano Faravelli is professor of Chemical Engineering at Politecnico di Milano. He is the senior member of the CRECK modeling group. His activity focuses mainly on the engineering of chemical reactions of complex systems. In particular he has developed detailed kinetic models of pyrolysis, partial oxidation and combustion of gases, liquid and solid fuels, both fossil and renewable. Recently he has been working on modeling thermal processes for recycling various wastes, such as plastic and biomass. To this end he is working on physical aspects at different scales (from nano, to micro, to meso, up to industrial scale), such as the fluid dynamics of these reacting flows, including both homogeneous and heterogeneous processes.
He was an Associate Editor of the Proceedings of the Combustion Institute and currently serves as an associate editor of Combustion and Flame. He is fellow of the Combustion Institute and Mercator Fellow of the Technical University of Darmstadt.
His research has led to 290 refereed journal or book publications and 3 co-edited books (Scopus citation data: total citations > 15000, H-index = 65).

Abstract:
One of the key paradigms of the new economy is circularity. This must be applied in particular to sectors with the highest environmental impact, such as plastics. Among the various recycling routes, thermal recycling offers a number of advantages and some disadvantages. The conference will demonstrate how recent research in fluid dynamics and the kinetics of pyrolysis and gasification processes is paving the way for the development of more efficient and environmentally friendly equipment.
In particular, the conference will discuss and analyse recent developments in the understanding of the chemical-physical phenomena underlying the thermal degradation of polymers, with particular reference to waste, which is intrinsically very complex. It will also examine how this research has produced detailed and reliable models, ready for transfer to the industrial field.

Circular Plastic: Analysis, Perspectives and Initiatives for Sustainability

Vincenzo Lumia
Vincenzo Lumia is the Director both of PlasticEurope Italia and Assobase, the Associations of Federchimica representing the Italian plastic materials and base chemicals Producers.
Vincenzo Lumia is graduated in Management at Bocconi University, and he achieved an MBA in 2017.
His professional background was formed at business. He trained as strategic consultant and then he moved to the petrochemical sector, engaged at the main Oil-Chemical Italian Company, where he spent 18 years, with commitments as manager at an international level in: strategy definition, corporate and organizational transformations, marketing intelligence, business process management and change management.
He has begun his experience in Federchimica in 2023, as Technical Regulatory Manager at the same Associations of which he is Director since February 2024.

Abstract:
The plastic 'question' is a vast subject, of which the issue of circularity plays a central role. Dealing with this topic is only possible by keeping in mind how pervasive plastics are in our lives and how articulated is the related framework of interacting interests, actors, systems and rules.
Some quantitative background elements will be provided and we will then move on to analyse the life cycle of plastics, with particular reference to the post-use phases, i.e. from waste to waste management options.
In this context, the issue of end-of-waste will be particularly relevant, i.e. the "moment" in the plastics cycle when a waste ceases to be a waste, through recovery procedures, and acquires the status of raw material/product.
The possible alternatives available to society in the current legislative and technological scenario for greater sustainability and circularity of plastics will then be briefly described.
The talk will conclude with a brief outline of current initiatives by the industry at both national and European level and the circularity and sustainability targets that the sector aims to achieve.

Polyolefins and the Circular Economy: Features, Recycling and Innovations

Stefano Turri
Stefano Turri, who began his industrial career at a company within the Montedison group, is now a full professor of materials science and technology at the Politecnico di Milano. He has also served as coordinator of the degree course in materials engineering and nanotechnology at the university from 2017 to 2022.
His current research interests include the recycling technologies of polymeric and composite materials, the development and characterisation of polymers from renewable sources, the study of smart and stimuli-responsive polymers for functional applications, and the science and technology of surfaces and interfaces.
His research has resulted in over 200 scientific articles published in international peer-reviewed journals, two books, and more than 20 industrial patents already extended internationally.

Abstract:
Polyolefins, such as polyethylene and polypropylene, represent bulk polymers with a significant impact on modern society, including considerations related to the circular economy.
This seminar will address the structural characteristics and degradation behaviour of these materials, with a focus on their implications for recognition and physical recyclability, both through mechanical technologies and innovative solvent-based methods.
The chemical processes for transforming polyolefins into vitrimeric polymers through functionalisation with dynamic and reversible cross-linking sites will then be described, highlighting their innovative character and positive impact in terms of recyclability of the material at the end of its life.

Digital Solutions for Polyolefin Recycling and Upcycling

Marinella Levi
Marinella Levi is Professor of Materials Science and Technology, and Director of the Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering 'Giulio Natta' at Politecnico di Milano.
Her current research interests are mainly focused on the research for new advanced polymeric and composite materials for the development of 3D and 4D printing technologies, for applications ranging from health to electronics, from design to circular economy.
Marinella Levi is author or co-author of more than 180 papers published on peer-reviewed international scientific journals that received more than 5000 citations. Moreover, she authored 11 patents, and 7 books about the relationship between Materials Engineering and Product Design.

Abstract:
The topic of circularity, particularly when applied to the context of plastics, can be read and analyzed from several points of view. This seminar will illustrate the possibility of addressing some of the peculiarities of recycling and the creation of circular processes, for polypropylene and polyolefins in general, both using digital technologies.
In the first part, the possibility of using 3D printing technologies with a focus on upcycling, and with an application-driven approach for the recycling and valorization of waste and scrap from, for example, personal protective equipment made of non-woven textiles widely used in, for example, the medical sector, electronics, and the food processing industry, will be illustrated.
The opportunity to use artificial intelligence and machine learning as important drivers for overcoming some critical issues related to the mechanical recycling of polyolefins, e.g. related to recognition, and with the separation of polypropylene and polyolefins, in general, will be considered.