Organic solar cells have been at the forefront of research efforts to provide a greener solution for harvesting solar energy. The active layer of organic solar cells comprises a donor and an acceptor. However, due to concerns over the stability, cost, and sustainability of fullerenic materials, much effort has been devoted to substituting these materials with polymeric Non-Fullerene Acceptors (NFAs)¹. Another concern is the synthetic procedures for the polymeric materials used in the active layer of organic photovoltaics (OPVs), which usually call for toxic reactants such as boronic derivatives (acids or esters) and stannyl derivatives, used in the well-established methodologies for aromatic ring-cross coupling reactions like Suzuki and Stille polymerizations.
To address these issues, we present our efforts to employ Direct Arylation Polymerization (DArP)², towards fully conjugated polymeric electron donors, as a more sustainable alternative, since no toxic intermediates are required as monomers. With various modifications of the monomers used, we show the control over the morphological, spectral and electrochemical properties of the polymers. Polymeric NFAs are also synthesized, based on perylene and benzothiadiazole derivatives³, showing controllable absorption profiles. Finally, we quantify the environmental profile of the material synthesis routes for OPV modules, using life-cycle assessment (LCA), identifying key environmental hotspots and benchmarking them against perovskite solar modules, which are their primary competitors in the third generation of Photovoltaic technologies⁴.
Acknowledgements
Greece 2.0-National Recovery and Resilience Fund: "Development of efficient third generation PV materials and devices to enhance the competitiveness of enterprises to the green energy production"_3GPV-4INDUSTRY. TAEDR-0537347

Anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions are a leading contributor to global warming, emphasizing the urgent need for efficient industrial CO₂ capture technologies. Polymeric membranes provide a low-energy, selective alternative to conventional methods, featuring minimal maintenance and long operational lifetimes [1]. Hollow fiber membranes, in particular, offer reduced separation system size due to their high surface area-to-volume ratios [2]. However, solubility constraints of commercial poly(ether)-block-(amide) (PEBA) polymers pose challenges for hollow fiber formation.

This research introduces a novel class of biobased PEBA polymers synthesized using a dimerized fatty acid as a sustainable precursor. These materials were designed for high solubility and optimized for hollow fiber membrane production via non-solvent-induced phase separation (NIPS) [3]. Asymmetric porous films derived from these polymers were formed and demonstrated excellent CO₂ separation performance, achieving a CO₂/N₂ selectivity of 28.8 and a permeance of 392.3 barrer in dense films.

Our findings highlight the scalability and sustainability of these biobased PEBA membranes for industrial CO₂ capture. By addressing the environmental challenges posed by CO₂-emitting industries, this study underscores the role of advanced polymer systems in creating a low-carbon future.

The development of next-generation dielectric materials is critical for advancing high-voltage direct current (HVDC) capacitor technology.[1] This study explores biaxially stretched thin films of ethylene-propylene-norbornene (EPN) to evaluate their processability, morphology and electrical performance. The interplay between the polypropylene (PP) matrix[2] and cyclic olefin copolymers (COC) was investigated by means of structural and dynamic probes. The analysis demonstrated a gradual elongation of the COC inclusions during stretching, leading to an optimized biphasic morphology. Interfacial modification between PP and COC further reduced interfacial tension and coalescence. Furthermore, such EPN films achieved higher dielectric breakdown voltages compared to pure PP counterparts.[3] Energy storage capacitors made of such composites hold promise for a broader range of high-performance energy storage applications. The improved thermal stability of these materials represents a significant step toward achieving reliable performance at temperatures approaching 135 °C, offering a compelling alternative to conventional polymers and bridging the gap between standard materials and expensive high-temperature polymers. These improvements would contribute to increased operational longevity and support more energy-efficient and environmentally responsible solutions.[4] The enhanced material stability and durability reduce the need for frequent replacements, minimizing material consumption and waste, thereby supporting resource efficiency and aligning with global sustainability efforts.

Azide functional groups have long been recognized for their extraordinary reactivity, serving as key intermediates in organic synthesis and macromolecular chemistry. [1] Their unique ability to participate in diverse transformations—ranging from classical Staudinger reactions to the widely employed copper-catalysed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC)—has made them indispensable in (macro)molecular design. The recent advances have further unlocked new opportunities in light-driven azide chemistry, enabling unprecedented control over reactivity, selectivity, and sustainability [2] (Figure 1). We are actively exploring the versatile nature of azides and their expanding role in macromolecular engineering through photochemical pathways, including the Curtius rearrangement and light-driven click chemistry. [3] By harnessing light as a stimulus [4], azide-based transformations can be activated with high spatial and temporal precision, facilitating the synthesis of functional polymers, surface modifications, and bioconjugation strategies. [5] This talk will highlight photolytic azide decomposition for in-situ isocyanate generation, nitrene-mediated crosslinking via sulfonyl azide chemistry, and emerging light-driven click reactions for polymer modification.

Willow is a fast-growing, high-yielding tree that is grown on a short rotation coppice basis. Current research focuses on usage of the crop's natural products for phytomedicines, the biomass for energy production, the foliage for veterinarian applications, the pulping paper production and environmental applications such as biofilters for waste water [1].
The main composition of willow biomass is lignocellulosic compounds, sugars, and phenolic glycosides such as triadrin and salicinoid derivates [2]. The phenolic glycosides have been utilized for medical applications, but they can also be extracted and hydrolysed [3]. One of these hydrolysed phenolic compounds is an intermediate in phenolic resin synthesis and has the potential for the synthesis of more sustainable materials.
Conversely, Phenol–formaldehyde (PF) resins are synthesized using raw materials derived from the petrochemical industry, and due to regulations and environmental concerns this industry is finding alternatives for those raw materials. Among the different substitutes for phenol are hydrolysed lignin (organosolv or derivate from kraft process), tannins, cardanol [4], and for formaldehyde hydroxymethylfurfural, and glyoxal [5].
This work studies the synthesis, properties, and potential applications of biobased phenolic resins from willow extracts, as well as the use of new methods for their extraction, comparing the biobased material to the conventional phenolic resins. The chemical nature of willow extract in addition to its sustainability can make it a good candidate for a greener option in polymer synthesis.

In recent years, industrial resins and coatings development trends have been significantly influenced by the escalating awareness of sustainability, evolving legislation, and customer expectations.
Current (industrial) research is focused on exploring potential substitutes for fossil-based building blocks for polymer (resin) synthesis to re-shift back to sustainable coatings. Still, these novel systems must not only have lower environmental impact but also needs to meet all visual, protective, and other functional properties.
Recent published research on polyester- and acrylic- basis will be presented and critically evaluated from industrial feasibility [1-5]. Additionally, current research activities on the field will be presented.