Universitat de València Chair AIMPLAS Head mentioned the emergency of connecting academic talent with real needs of the industry during the breakfast of Valencia Plaza.

The future of the plastics sector can't be separated from sustainability, innovation and the knowledge transfer form classrooms to the industry. This was one of the main conclusions of Universitat de València Chair AIMPLAS Head José Badia during his intervention in the breakfast organised by Valencia Plaza

During this gathering of different voices of authority in the sector to analyse the regulation and environmental challenges of plastics, José Badia valued the strategic role of institutional collaboration. As the Head of the chair, he mentioned that the entity has been an 'essential bridge' during 2024 to align academic research with productive challenges.

Four axis of transformation

In his intervention, José Badia analysed the pilar which the Chair strategy rests on: education, research, transference and promotion of talent. 'It is not enough to generate knowledge. We must bring it to the industry to turn it into real solutions of circular economy' he stated.

The Head made a particular mention to the 'talent promotion' as the engine of generational change the sector needs. With awards, seminars and visits, the Chair aims to not only train future experts but also keep the young talent who will design future materials that are: more efficient, recyclable and respectful to the environment.

He added the great opportunity of the secondary education the teach science to the future generations.

A commitment with sustainability

Since materials are oftenly demonised, Badia advocated a scientific and rational approach.

From his position, he defended that the solution doesn't lie in the erradication of plastics but their intelligent and sustainable management. He deemed the AIMPLAS and UV efforts remarkable in the development of new waste management processes and ecodesign.

The development of Valencia Plaza served to strengthen the bond of the Valencian Community industrial network with academic potential that is necessary to become a European reference at sector transformation, as stated by Badia, as long as industry and university walk hand in hand.