On November 28th and 29th, the UPLIFT project consortium gathered for its final meeting at RWTH Aachen University to plan the concluding tasks of our ambitious project. UPLIFT, short for sUstainable PLastIcs for the Food and drink packaging industry, aims to revolutionize plastic recycling by biologically depolymerizing bio- and fossil-based plastic packaging waste and converting it into more renewable, upcyclable polymers. By adopting a biorefinery approach, the project has explored innovative solutions to enhance the sustainability of plastic materials in the food and beverage sector.

 

RWTH Aachen has played a key role in UPLIFT, particularly in the depolymerization of plastic waste using tailored transition metal complexes as well as the use of zinc and iron complexes for synthesizing polyesters through innovative processes such as ring-opening polymerization and polycondensation. By combining quantum-chemically guided designs, synthesis, and gram-scale polymerization, RWTH has significantly contributed to the project’s mission of transforming plastic recycling into a more sustainable and efficient process.

 

 

During the meeting, project partners had the unique opportunity to visit RWTH Aachen’s state-of-the-art scientific facilities, gaining valuable insights into the cutting-edge research conducted there. Lively scientific discussions allowed consortium members to review progress, finalize key objectives, and brainstorm potential directions for future collaborations. The event also included moments to enjoy the historic city of Aachen, fostering camaraderie among the partners and celebrating their collective achievements.