The world-wide market for plastic films and sheets used in various packaging and non-packaging applications exceeds $100 billion and is growing at an annual rate higher than the global gross domestic product. No doubt this massive usage of plastics is driven by several benefits including convenience and economics, but the drawbacks are also becoming apparent.
Plastics do not biodegrade, Disposal of the millions of tons of plastic waste generated every year takes up huge areas in the form of landfills. Plastic polymers may not be toxic themselves, but the myriad of chemical monomers added to them for improving their properties can be released to the surroundings and contact materials over time or under conditions such as heat and exposure to sunlight or photodegradation. In this backdrop, the development and use of bio-based and/ or biodegradable polymers is gaining importance.
On the 26th of April at 17.00, Ronak will introduce polymers available from natural resources and how they can help us having less waste.
Introduction to Speaker
Ronak (Zainab) Ziaee is a Research and Development Engineer at IPG (Intertape Polymer Groups) located in Marysville, Michigan. Ronak graduated from Tehran polytechnic in Polymer engineering. She completed her master’s degree in polymer Science in Thailand and got her PhD in chemical Engineering from University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, Canada in 2011. She has worked with biodegradable polymer in her graduate studies. She developed a novel compostable packaging material from potato during her studies at UNB which has been marketed in industry. She has been working as the product development specialist and R&D engineer in industry for the past ten years. She is always exploring the latest technologies to pursue her dream of having a cleaner environment. She loves books, music, and outdoor activities.
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