The Materials Technology and Sustainability (MATS) research group from the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Valencia focuses its investigation on the design, development, characterisation and validation of multi-sectoral materials preparation and functionalisation technologies with sustainability within a circular economy as their focus. The lines of research of MATS include:

(i) Development of industrial membrane-based technologies for obtaining and functionalising (nano/micro) polymeric fibres and films, both composites and hybrids, and transfer to industrial sectors based on membrane technology: effluent treatment, packaging and biomedicine, among others.

(ii) Research into the correlation between the physio-chemical properties of polymeric and hybrid materials and their performance in service conditions, aimed at design re-engineering.

(iii) Assessment of the alternatives for material, chemical, energetic and biological recovery of plastic waste, under the concept of a circular economy and the use of bio-resources.

(iv) Development of advanced reaction techniques using supercritical fluids or emerging solvents to obtain the desired polymers.

(v) Design of nanostructured catalysts using electrochemical techniques to prepare hybrid membranes.

MATS is made up of a multidisciplinary team with experience in (bio)polymer and composite technology, advances reaction processes with sustainable emerging solvents, generation of hybrid catalysers for environmental technologies and corrosion control techniques. Therefore, this team is more than capable of addressing the challenges put forth by industries and institutions committed to sustainable innovation in environmental and efficient products and processes and with added value.