Grant: Canada Research Chairs

The pursuit of global environmental sustainability is one of humanity’s greatest challenges, with advances in materials science at the core of many national and international sustainability strategies. The plastic industry has experienced substantial challenges associated with raw materials sustainability, safety, and environmental pollution concerns. The indiscriminate disposal of petrochemical-derived plastics into the environment causes damage that is irreparable in the short term and is intensifying. The future of plastic and material sustainability and associated industries heavily depends on innovations in novel technologies, backed by sound scientific advances in fundamental knowledge in polymer synthesis and fabrication. The proposed CRC in Sustainable Multiphase Polymers will conduct fundamental and applied research aimed at innovating sustainable polymers and fabrication platforms for a range of material applications, such as rubber goods, agri-food plastics, and packaging. This work encompasses comprehensive strategies for the development of novel routes and modification chemistries for the conversion of renewable naturally occurring starting materials into sustainable, multifunctional, and multiphase polymers and plastics. This CRC research program specifically aims to advance a new design framework for (i) rational selection and modification of building blocks to develop sustainable and functional materials, (ii) biodegradable plastics with programmed latency, (iii) next-generation recyclable and high-performance rubber goods, and (iv) fertilizer and seed encapsulation technology to minimize environmental impact and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from agriculture activities and to improve crop productivity. The CRC program will significantly enhance the portfolio of sustainable polymers and nanomaterial-enabled functional materials that will have practical applications in food packaging, rubber goods, agri-food industry, and healthcare. The employment of sustainable feedstock for material production aligns directly with the vision for a circular economy and avoids the undesired end-of-life profiles of petrochemical plastics. It will also support Canada’s future as a global leader in the exciting and important fields of sustainable nanotechnology, sustainable rubbers, and plastics.