All SINCHEM research activities are highly original and of relevant scientific quality, as testified from the high qualification of the supervisors and associated partners. The cooperation between at least two Universities and one company on these activities is a further element supporting the interest on these research lines. Moreover, the topic addresses are all frontier areas of development of relevant importance for the European chemical industry. They are all parts of the priority topics indicated in the Implementation Action Plan (and its further revisions) established from the ETP SusChem and in the EU 2020 Agenda.
We have focused the broad field of sustainable industrial chemistry on these following main sectors, which are both key aspects of the principles for sustainable/green chemistry and critical elements for the innovation in the sustainable chemical industry:
Development of innovative catalysts (especially, by integration of homogeneous, heterogeneous and bio-catalysts) and catalytic processes. Catalysts are the core element to improve the performances (in terms of reduced used of raw materials and energy, lower production of waste) or enable new process options with lower impact on the environment or risk.
Novel green solvents. In the chemical synthesis, especially in the area of fine and life chemicals, a large part of the production of waste and VOC emissions is related to solvents. The development of novel green solvents and their use in chemical syntheses (including catalytic ones) is a key factor for sustainability of chemical industry.
Renewable energy and raw materials. In order to reduce the depletion of natural resources, it is necessary that chemical industry progressively implements new routes using renewable raw materials and energy. Chemical and energy productions have been always tightly related, and as a matter of fact, the largest part of chemical production is based on oil-derived raw materials. With the progressive increase in use of biofuels and production of renewable energy, it is necessary from one side and an opportunity from the other side to develop new sustainable processes based on renewable raw materials and energy.
Microreactor and membrane. Key concepts for future manufacturing (F³ – Future, Flexible, Fast – Factory; ETP-SusChem) is modularity which offers flexibility, but reduces economy-of-scale effects. The twinning of microreactor, novel catalysts and membrane is an enabling factor to meet this challenge.
The SINCHEM Subject catalogue 2017 can be found here
The catalogue contain the following information:
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Mobility details:
HOME INSTITUTION: the consortium institution where the candidate will spend most of the time. This institute is also responsible for the employment of the PhD candidate.
HOST INSTITUTION 1: the institution where the candidate will spend at least 6 months of the PhD work
HOST INSTITUTION 2: the company/institution where the candidate will spend at least 10 weeks of the PhD work.
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Project details: description of the content of PhD work that will be carried out during the three years.