Sustainability has become imperative across all industrial sectors, and the cosmetics industry is no exception. To achieve this transition, a holistic approach is essential, one that considers the environmental impact of products throughout their entire life cycle – from the sourcing and extraction of raw materials to manufacturing, consumer use, and finally, end-of-life management1.
Polymers play a pivotal role in cosmetics, owing to their varied physicochemical and mechanical properties rooted in unique macromolecular structures. Ensuring sustainable innovation while minimizing environmental impact demands the development of eco-friendly polymers without compromising cosmetic efficacy and cost competitiveness. As part of the commitments of our Group, Green Chemistry principles are actively incorporated across all facets of our polymers' life cycle – from the origin of raw materials, to synthetic processes and their biodegradation2, 3. This presentation showcases our endeavors, featuring examples such as polymers obtained by biotechnology4 or organo-catalyzed polymerization techniques (ROP, GPT, …)5, 6. Additionally, insights from digital simulation approaches and biodegradation studies on specific examples will be shared and underscore our commitment to understanding the end-of-life challenges associated with our polymers.

The selection of plastics for the production of fast moving consumer goods (FMCGs) is currently mainly based on material performance. However, in a renewable circular materials economy other aspects, like material end-of-life, become equally important. Wageningen Food & Biobased Research has developed a framework that could support product designers in the selection of more sustainable alternatives to current fossil-based plastics based on both product functionality and end-of-life [1]. For example, when chances of littering are high, it is desirable that a product biodegrades in the natural environment to prevent accumulation of macro- and microplastics. Recently, we reported a model to predict the accumulation of plastics in the natural environment [2]. This model derives carbon mass flow streams from experimental mineralisation curves (CO2 evolution) of polymers and predicts the concentrations and residence times of the different plastic states during their biodegradation processes. By using this model, the environmental impact of substituting non-biodegradable products with biodegradable alternatives can be demonstrated, as well as the effect of littering potential on (micro)plastic accumulation of a product for different applications. In this contribution, we will show how the plastics accumulation potential model and the material selection framework can be combined to demonstrate how material selection can impact (micro)plastic accumulation. This will provide guidance to for example, product designers, researchers, or policy makers to support the transition to a circular materials economy.

Packaging materials are vital to ensuring food safety and preservation. They play a significant role in sustainability by preventing food waste. However, recycling of packaging materials is often challenging.[1] Consequently, currently many “end of life” packaging materials are incinerated for energy recovery,[2] and too often they end up as environmental waste or litter, contributing to formation of microplastics and posing potential risks to living organisms.

BASF uses a combination of approaches to contribute to the development of more sustainable and circular packaging materials, with a specific focus on the role of waterborne packaging coatings. This presentation will explore several of these initiatives, including:
• The use of biobased and recycled raw materials
• The Biomass Balance Approach
• Efforts to minimize the Product Carbon Footprint (PCF)
• Improving barrier performance without negatively impacting recycling of paper packaging
• Collaboration and co-creation with external partners
Apart from the above listed approaches, also the importance of clear, fair, and executable regulations will be highlighted, as well as the associated challenges.

This presentation provides an enlightening insight into both the current approaches to improve packaging sustainability, as well as a glimpse into future directions.

Environmental considerations and technological challenges have led to the search for green and energy-efficient processes for advanced manufacturing of materials. In this aspect, the effort to utilize green fillers in polymer composites has increased focus on the application of natural biomass-based fillers. In line with this, Biochar has garnered a lot of attention as a filler material and can potentially replace conventionally used inorganic mineral fillers. However, aggregation and heterogeneous dispersion of biochar due to its nonuniform micro/macro size distribution limits its reinforcing capability.[1-3] Therefore, in this work, a green method has been adopted to prepare nano-sized biochar as a better reinforcement using a planetary ball mill, and the ball milled-biochar has been melt-blended with a biobased thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) for the fabrication of bio-nanocomposite. The effect of the addition of ball-milled biochar on the melting temperature and crystallinity of biobased-TPU nanocomposites was analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). A significant enhancement in the mechanical properties of TPU/Ball-milled-biochar composites was observed compared to TPU/Biochar composites. Further, the thermal stability of the prepared TPU/Ball-milled biochar bio-nanocomposite was investigated together with the characterization of ball-milled biochar using various techniques like XRD, Raman, XPS, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging and BET Surface area analysis, etc. As biochar is highly cost-effective, the proposed biobased-polymer nanocomposites could become a valid substitute for non-biodegradable nanocomposites in various applications.

Energy production from renewable sources necessitates energy storage solutions to allow for their penetration into the grid but the dominant lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries rely on hazardous, expensive and scarce elements. Alternatively, Zinc-ion rechargeable batteries (ZIBs) utilizing a water-based electrolyte are considered cost-effective, safe, and environmentally benign solutions. However, their reversibility remains a challenge—primarily because the absence of Zn-ion-blocking separators allows the formation of electrochemically inactive and insulating species involving MnO2 cathode cations. To this scope, polymer electrolyte membranes serving as separator and as ionic conductor, are the most promising solution offering the possibility to selectively screen Zn-ions without hindering electrolyte transport, thereby limiting Zn redistribution and the risk of cathode poisoning.
In this work, the Ion Solvating Membrane (ISM) concept of polymer electrolytes for alkaline water electrolysis[1] was adopted to establish polymer electrolytes for ZIBs, of zero Zn-ion crossover. High-performance poly(aryl ether sulfone)s[2] have been blended with poly(benzimidazole) (PBI) to create dense but conductive networks thus preventing penetration of Zn ions. The polysulfones are side-functionalized with groups that can interact with the imidazole groups of PBI. The prepared blends show excellent film-forming ability affording membranes of high mechanical, thermal stability and integrity. Thorough physicochemical evaluation of polymers and membranes, conductivity and stability screening in electrolyte media followed by electrochemical measurements have shown that specific blend membranes present promising conductivity, stability and excellent Zn-ion blocking properties paving the way for long lasting ZIBs.
Acknowledgements
This research has been financed by the funding programme “MEDICUS”, of the University of Patras.

Hydrogen is one of the most versatile compounds used in the agriculture, transportation, and steel industry. However, its intensive consumption has led to the use of non-environmentally friendly production routes, and it is often called grey hydrogen. To reduce its carbon footprint, research has focused on green hydrogen, which is defined as the generation of hydrogen from sustainable sources. The photocatalytic water splitting reaction fulfills this durability condition as it only requires water and sunlight as resources. Photocatalyst-loaded hydrogel materials have already shown their potential as a water storage and catalyst host matrix for green hydrogen production. [1-3] Our research explores the thin film geometry of such systems to demonstrate the scalability of photocatalysis. In this framework, the two-dimensional polymer graphitic carbon nitride is used as a catalyst and introduced in poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogel thin films. The swelling behavior of the resulting hybrid hydrogels is studied under high relative humidity conditions, and the influence of different catalyst loadings is discussed. The mesoscopic swelling of the hydrogel films is observed via in situ spectral reflectance and further deepened with neutron-based characterization methods. Time-of-flight neutron reflectometry is used to access the horizontal arrangements in the hybrid thin films. Operando grazing incidence small-angle neutron scattering reveals the microscopic changes happening under heavy water vapor and light irradiation. Combining those two neutron scattering techniques grants a three-dimensional characterization of the hybrid hydrogel systems. Finally, gas chromatography demonstrates the potential of the studied hydrogel films by determining their hydrogen production rates.