Collections

Plastics and polymers

In this collection we explore advancements in plastics and polymers research, covering topics such as polymer synthesis, characterisation techniques, material properties, biodegradable polymers, plastic waste and recycling, and the impact of microplastics and PFAS on the environment and human health.

Car tyre

How tyres are turning green

By

As the shift to using renewable and recycled materials in car tyres accelerates, Nina Notman talks to the manufacturers driving the change

Biodegradable plastic bag that has not fully degraded

Clearing up the compostable plastic mess

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Rather than a potential triumph, the compostable plastics we use look increasingly like a tragedy. Andy Extance looks at the problems and seeks solutions

1959 Barbie

Conserving Barbie from degradation

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Although she is a cultural icon, conserving Barbie has its challenges: as with most plastic toys and dolls, she was not made to last. Rachel Brazil investigates how conservation scientists are approaching this sticky problem

Polymer scrabble

Editing polymer backbones

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Changing the chemical makeup of a polymer backbone could revolutionise how we make, use and even recycle plastics. James Mitchell Crow reports

Wood texture

The wonderful wizards of wood

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Clever chemistry can turn humble timber into a sustainable material with many uses, Kit Chapman finds

An illustration showing a skier

Better skiing through chemistry

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While elite sports have been improved by materials science, for disabled athletes the developments can be life-changing. Aisha Al-Janabi reports

Polymers

A large volume of bundled plastic waste

Less than 10% of plastics are produced using recycled materials

Size of the world’s plastic problem laid out

Chris Kay

The problem of scale-up in the UK

What’s the point of knowledge generation if we’re not creating high value jobs, asks Chris Kay

An air quality monitoring station near a chemical plant

US drops chloroprene emissions lawsuit against Denka

Government says lawsuit stretched legal definitions in pursuit of ‘environmental justice’

BASF enzyme-based production plant for biocatalyzed acrylamide in Nanjing, China

Biomanufacturing proliferates in chemicals

Fermentation can improve sustainability at competitive costs

A photograph showing mixed plexiglass samples immersed in solvent in a three-necked, round-bottomed flask

Accidental discovery depolymerises commercial plexiglass

Light-triggered process breaks down waste plastic

PFAS

A firefighter uses foam from a powerful hose to tackle an outdoor blaze

Concerns raised about PFAS leaking from three UK military bases

Sites could pose a threat to drinking water supplies and sensitive freshwater environments

Tractor fertilising field

‘A battle of the scientific experts’: PFAS research at centre of Texas farms lawsuit contested

Company whose fertiliser was blamed for livestock deaths shares analysis it says proves its product wasn’t to blame

Teflon frying pan

Ball milling breaks PFAS down into industrially useful fluoride source

Mechanochemistry could deal with ‘forever chemicals’

Close up of a woman's face applying foundation with a brush

French parliament approves ban on PFAS in cosmetics, clothing and ski wax

Non-stick kitchenware was exempted followed industry lobbying

Tractor spreading manure

PFAS in fertilisers blamed for killing livestock in Texas and wreaking havoc

Exceptionally high levels of ‘forever chemicals’  discovered in soil, water and dead animals

Plastic recycling

A large volume of bundled plastic waste

Less than 10% of plastics are produced using recycled materials

Size of the world’s plastic problem laid out

A photograph showing mixed plexiglass samples immersed in solvent in a three-necked, round-bottomed flask

Accidental discovery depolymerises commercial plexiglass

Light-triggered process breaks down waste plastic

Recycled plastic gravel

The moral theories behind climate deadlock

Why is it so controversial to do the right thing for the environment?

Plastic treaty

Plastic treaty negotiators fail to reach agreement

Disputes over treaty’s scope remain as original deadline passes

Giant plastic tap

After years of negotiations, a global agreement to tackle plastic pollution is within sight

The UN’s plastics treaty negotiations have faced many hurdles, but delegates are getting closer to a final agreement

Microplastics

Laboratory waste

Multi-disciplinary scientists are ready to solve global chemical pollution

Are governments ready to act?

Figure

Cellulose and chitin foam can remove nearly all microplastics from water

Biopolymer foam remains effective in water with heavy metals and other pollutants

Microplastics

Nanoplastics found to interfere with activity of antibiotic

Microscopic polymer pieces can decrease efficacy of drug

Tractor covering an asparagus field with mulching plastics

The problem of plastic in our soils

Not just a marine issue, new research shows microplastics are also changing agricultural land. Bárbara Pinho finds out how and what we can do to prevent it affecting our food

Microplastics

Meet the microplastome

New concept seeks to unify microplastics research