Coordinator

Center of Organic Chemistry “C.D. NENITZESCU” of the Romanian Academy (CCO) (www.ccocdn.ro)

The primary research activity developed in CCO is fundamental organic chemistry research. The Institute has extensive experience in organic synthesis. In addition, it has also accumulated a vast expertise in applied chemistry. Today the technological expertise includes both fine organic synthesis (scents and odorants, dyes, pesticides, drugs and intermediates, ionic and metathesis polymerizations, and development of manufacturing processes for bulk chemicals (nitrofurane, chlorinated solvents, propeneoxyde-styrene, hydrazine, acetonitrile, etc). In recent years there have also been studied and developed original techniques for extracting active ingredients from plants for use as food flavors, fragrance ingredient, active ingredients for pharmaceuticals. CCO has had numerous collaborations with other research institutes and companies from Romania and abroad, for custom chemical synthesis. Among the most prestigious partners are: Lille Pasteur Institute, Paris Pasteur Institute in cooperation with the Cantacuzino Institute, Du Pont, Rhone Poulenc, Bayer. The institute has also developed computational modelling that allow estimation of properties of new molecules prior to synthesis and characterization by physicochemical methods. These methods were used to perform Quantitative Structure–Activity Relationship (QSAR) studies for ICECHIM, ICCF, ARPECHIM. It is worth mentioning that CCO has been partner in 10 National (PN I, CEEX and PN II) projects and 2 European (Eureka) projects, both as partner and coordinator, regarding polymer materials and their recycling. The institute possess a valuable infrastructure, essential in structural assignment and characterization of chemical compounds.
In the present project CCO will develop activities regarding the synthesis of new organocatalysts for PET glycolysis and aminolysis, involving catalyst synthesis and complex characterisation of the resulted despolymerisation/polymerisation products using advanced tehniques and equipments.
Skilled and greatly experimented key persons in organic synthesis, high performance analysis and computational modelling will take part in project development. The project results will broaden the aria of expertise of the team members regarding organic synthesis and catalytiic activity of organocatalysts, and will offer the opportunity for gaining proficiency in scientific and technological fields of interest for the European research area.

Partner P1

National Institute for research & development in chemistry and petrochemistry – (ICECHIM) (www.icechim.ro)

ICECHIM is one of the most important R&D institutes in chemistry in Romania. The research activity is focused mainly towards technological research. Many of the technologies applied in the Romanian chemical industry were developed at ICECHIM, such as: polyurethane foams, synthetic rubbers, various resins, polyphenylene oxides, polymer composites polypropylene fibres, polymerization initiators, coatings, surfactants, detergents.
ICECHIM has 12 Scientific Research Teams with background in various fields, 7 accredited testing laboratories, according to the standard ISO 17027/2005. ICECHIM was/is partner in 23 international projects (FP 7, Eranet, Life, Bilateral) 66 projects within national research programmes CEEX, PN II / Collaborative Partnership, Sectorial programme, 15 Innovaulchers. The research activity is reflected within 242 ISI articles, 206 NON-ISI, 40 Patents, 106 Romanian Patent Applications, 16 European Patent Applications; 85 prizes (30 gold medals). ICECHIM will participate in the Consortium with members belonging to the “Advanced polymer materials and polymer recycling” research team. The aria of interest in the research work regards last generation polymer materials based mainly on supra-molecular chemistry and polymer recycling, in particular recycling of PET bottles wastes.
Standing on the team’s specific expertise, during the present proposal ICECHIM will develop research activities directed to obtaining polyester polyols for PUR/PIR foams starting from PET wastes and some renewable resources, in a novel organocatalytic system, on lab, and pilot scale, which will enlarge the expertise of the team members in their interest arias of polymers chemical recycling and polyurethane technologies. The project’s results will also solve complex issues, namely developing an innovative alternative way to treating PET waste and using raw materials derived from biomass, by means of efficient organocatalysis, with an emphasis on energy saving, and create opportunities for research results implementation through possible technology transfer towards potential beneficiaries.

Partner P2

The “Politehnica” University of Bucharest (UPB)
Faculty of Applied Chemistry and Materials Science (http://www.chim.pub.ro/)

It is the largest Technical University in Romania, classified among the top 10 universities in our country, being ranking as an university of advanced research and education. The “Advanced Polymer Materials” research group) has a significant previous experience in polymer synthesis and hybrid materials preparation and characterization, using advanced methods like Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC), spectroscopic methods: Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy ( FT-IR), Raman Spectroscopy , UV-Vis Spectroscopy, surface analysis: X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), thermal analysis: Thermo-gravimetric Analysis (TGA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA).The group was also involved in 3 national projects (1 project under the PN II Programme Partnerships and 2 projects under the Sectorial programme Industrial policy on the subject of PET chemical recycling resulting in biodegradable water dispersible copolyesters for coating applications and plasticizers for PVC, as well as on the subject of polyester-polyols derived from phthalic anhydride wastes, for polyurethane foams.
In the present project, the team will be involved in all tasks regarding complex characterization of oligoester-polyols and polyurethane materials, in terms of chemical structure, molecular weight distribution and thermo-mechanical properties.
The participation in this project will offer the opportunity to partner P2 to increase it’s visibility (with emphasis on young researchers, PhD students and post-doctoral researchers involved) by results dissemination at national and international level and towards the economical and social community.

Partner P3

S.C. EUROPLASTIC s.r.l
(http://www.europlastic.ro)

The company was founded in 1991, with objects of activity research and production of a wide variety of innovative materials for the construction industry.
Since 1991, the company successfully continues to develop both research and production activities and marketing of products created in own laboratories and manufactured in the production department designated for that purpose. The company produces a wide range of adhesives, paints, flooring and decking thermo-insulating and waterproof systems for new and existing buildings. EUROPLASTIC is involved in The National Thermal Rehabilitation Program initiated by the Ministry of Regional Development and Housing, by execution of works of thermal insulation and waterproofing. The company possess a valuable infrastructure consisting in specific equipment for sprayed polyurethane foams application, several reaction vessels fitted with stirrer, mixers, pompes, tanks, filtration plant, etc, as well as laboratory equipment for polyurethane foams preparation and characterization of polyol blends, and intends to purchase, during the project development some equipment, necessary for the laboratory and especially for pilot experiments.
EUROPLASTIC has developed 18 products in the range of acrylic, polyurea, polyurethane adhesives, coatings and foams for flooring and decking thermo-insulating and waterproof systems. The company is accredited ISO 9001/2000 and ISO 14001.
Within the current project EUROPLASTIC intends to develop intermediates (polyols) for polyurethane foams from PET wastes and renewable materials on pilot scale, together with partner P1, and polyurethane and polyisocyanurate in-situ foams poured into mould or sprayed onto the desired surface, produced using the said polyols (on lab and pilot scale) The project’s results will offer to Partner 3 the opportunity to develop a range of eco-friendly compounds and flexible technologies, energy efficient, connected to the specific objectives of European fields of interest and adjusted to national priorities and resources.