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Published on: December 25, 2016
A Semi-Serendipitous Journey towards the Commercialisation of a Catalytic Hydrocracking Process for Polymer Waste
Felix D Bobbink1, Antoine van Muyden1, Wei-Tse Lee2
1Plastogaz SA, EPFL Innovation Park Batiment C, 1015, Lausanne, France.
Abstract:
This Personal Account reviews the sequence of scientific discoveries that led to a catalytic plastic conversion technology that resulted in the creation of a spin-off company called Plastogaz from the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (Switzerland). The story begins with research on the catalytic valorization of CO2 , carried out by two PhD students and a master student, and the connections and steps subsequently made, ultimately leading to a plastic transformation technology. The Personal Account highlights the value of diverse research topics within a research group, the benefits of connections between chemistry and chemical engineering, that can lead to interesting synergies and atypical breakthroughs.
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