Sustainable Polymers and Composites

Materials for a Sustainable Future

OUR MISSION:

To be at the forefront of integrating materials science, advanced manufacturing, and multiscale modelling with circularity to deliver next-generation polymers and composites.

Importance

We combine fundamental materials science with cutting-edge manufacturing, structural and multiscale modelling and circularity to develop the next-generation polymers and composites.

This integrated approach is essential to designing materials that are not only high-performance and lightweight but also resource-efficient and sustainable across their entire lifecycle. By linking material design with manufacturing and end-of-life considerations, we enable innovations that reduce environmental impact while meeting the requirements of modern engineering applications.

RESEARCH FOCUS

Sustainable polymer materials

Bio-based polymers, advanced formulations, degradable and recyclable materials, polymer nanocomposites, compostable agri waste, valorisation of poultry industry waste streams and marine-based biomaterials for tissue engineering.

Polymer processing and mechanics

Stretch blow moulding, thermoforming, injection moulding (including injection overmoulding), rotational mouldiing , extrusion, 3D printing, rheology, deformation mechanics, material characterisation, and process optimisation.

High-performance composites

Lightweight structural composites, damage mechanics, multiscale modelling, fracture and fatigue, and advanced manufacturing for aerospace, automotive, and energy applications.

Circular economy and lifecycle engineering

Polymer degradation, recycling technologies, sustainability metrics, LCA.

Modelling and simulation

Virtual manufacturing tools, process–structure–property modelling, inverse design, and data-driven optimisation.

Processing–structure–performance relationships

Microstructure analysis, durability, failure mechanisms, and long-term performance of polymers and composites.

Overview

Engineering Materials for a Circular, Sustainable Future

Sustainable polymer and composite technologies are central to tackling global challenges, from reducing plastic waste and carbon emissions to enabling lightweight transport, renewable energy systems, and next-generation packaging.

Advances in multiscale simulation, precision processing, and recycling science are transforming how polymeric materials are designed, manufactured, and reused. Whether developing recyclable packaging, tougher and lighter composite structures, low-impact polymer formulations, or digital-twin-enabled processes, Sustainable Polymers and Composites drives innovation that bridges fundamental science with real industrial needs.

As packaging, aerospace, marine, biomedical, energy and manufacturing sectors transition toward greener solutions, our research enables cleaner production, reduced waste, extended product life, and smarter circular-material flows—delivering measurable impact for industry and society.

Current Research

Our researchers work closely with industry partners, national research centres, and international universities to ensure tangible real-world impact.

Modelling and Simulation

Optimising Manufacturing Processes Through AI and Modelling

AI-driven optimisation of stretch-blow moulding and thermoforming; heat-transfer modelling for global packaging partners.

We apply AI-driven optimisation to stretch-blow moulding and thermoforming processes, combining simulation and data-driven approaches to improve control over complex manufacturing operations. Using advanced modelling and material characterisation, we capture polymer behaviour under high-temperature forming conditions and integrate detailed heat-transfer analysis of the moulding process. This enables manufacturers to optimise temperature profiles, material distribution, and forming performance. Working with global packaging partners, these approaches reduce material use, lower energy consumption, and improve product quality while accelerating industrial-scale production.

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Advanced composite materials

Improving Structural Performance of Advanced Composites

Damage prediction, micromechanics, and multiscale modelling of fibre-reinforced systems for aerospace and automotive clients, overmoulding of composite parts.

We develop advanced modelling approaches for fibre-reinforced composite systems, combining damage prediction, micromechanics, and multiscale simulation to understand material behaviour from fibre to structural level. This enables accurate prediction of performance, durability, and failure in demanding aerospace and automotive applications. We also investigate overmoulding of composite parts to improve the integration of materials and manufacturing processes. Working with industry partners, this supports the design of lighter, stronger, and more reliable composite structures

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Sustainable polymer formulations

Increasing Sustainability of Polymer Materials

Bio-based blends, functional additives, and recyclable materials developed through biomass and poultry-waste valorisation.

We develop sustainable polymer materials through the design of bio-based blends, functional additives, and recyclable systems. By utilising alternative feedstocks, including biomass and waste-derived resources, we reduce reliance on fossil-based materials while maintaining performance. Our approach integrates material design with processing and end-of-life considerations, enabling more sustainable, scalable solutions for industrial applications.

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Polymer degradation and recycling

Maximising Polymer Circularity and Material Recovery

Material recovery, reprocessing, and design-for-recyclability approaches supporting circular-economy goals.

We investigate polymer degradation and recycling to enable effective material recovery and reprocessing. Our work focuses on understanding how polymers behave over multiple lifecycles and developing design-for-recyclability strategies that maintain material performance. This supports the transition to circular economy models by reducing waste, extending material use, and improving the sustainability of polymer systems.

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Additional Capabilities

Experimental and Computational Facilities including:

Industrial-scale and pilot-scale polymer processing equipment (stretch blow moulding, extrusion, injection moulding, thermoforming, rotational moulding).
Advanced mechanics and materials testing (creep, fatigue, fracture, high-speed deformation, thermal analysis, rheology).
High-performance computing for multiscale simulation and AI-augmented materials modelling.
Polymer chemistry laboratories for formulation, synthesis, characterisation, and degradation studies.
Composite manufacturing facilities for high-temperature curing, and structural testing.