We develop innovative strategies for the recycling and upcycling of polymers to support a circular economy.
Our goal is to design efficient processes that enable the recovery and transformation of plastic waste into high-value materials. We work on mechanical recycling strategies for thermoplastics, optimizing them to preserve or enhance the final material properties. Additionally, we investigate upcycling strategies that introduce new functionalities or improve performance, extending the lifespan and applications of recycled polymers. For thermosets, our work is dedicated to both formulate intrinsically re-processable materials by desining and optimizing materials based on covalent adaptable networks and also explore mechanochemistry-based strategies for re-converting conventional thermosets into recyclable networks.
People
Giovanni Filippone
Veronica Ambrogi
Martina Salzano de Luna
Angela Marotta
Marco Agizza
Andrea Pollastro
Relevant projects
– REPRONET “Reprocessable thermosets via dynamic polymer networks” – PRIN 2022
– TERRA “Development of PVC free blood bags made with thermoplastic polymers from renewable sources additivated with natural substances” – Accordi per l’innovazione 2021
– CLEAN “Valorizing sustainable plastics through a clever use of nanoparticles” – PRIN 2017
– Research collaboration with Pirelli Tyre
– Research collaboration with LyondellBasell
Selected publications
– Marotta, A., Preziosi, V., Tomaiuolo, G., & Filippone, G.* (2025). Bridge-to-drain: How nanoparticles can promote coalescence in model polymer blends. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 688, 140-149 (open access).
– Marturano, V., Marotta, A., Salazar, S. A., Ambrogi, V.*, & Cerruti, P. (2023). Recent advances in bio-based functional additives for polymers. Progress in Materials Science, 101186 (open access).
– Brondi, C., Marotta, A., Filippone, G., Mensitieri, G., Salzano de Luna, M.*, & Ambrogi, V. (2023). Curing behavior of reprocessable epoxy vitrimers: thermal analysis and kinetics modeling. Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics, 224(22), 2300273 (open access).
– Marotta, A.*, Salzano de Luna, M., D’Avino, A., Fornaro, M., Filippone, G., & Ambrogi, V. (2022). Mechanical properties and reprocessability of Diels‐Alder‐based reversible networks from furan‐modified resins. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 139(34), e52796 (open access).
– Marotta, A., Causa, A., Salzano de Luna, M., Ambrogi, V., & Filippone, G.* (2022). Tuning the morphology of HDPE/PP/PET ternary blends by nanoparticles: a simple way to improve the performance of mixed recycled plastics. Polymers, 14(24), 5390 (open access).