An EconoTimes perspective

James Robert Innes

Postdoctoral Research Associate in Sustainable Polymer Materials, University of Bradford

Postdoctoral Research Associate in Sustainable Polymer Materials, University of Bradford After completing a BSc degree in Chemistry, I undertook a PhD in Materials for Demanding Environments at the University of Manchester, jointly sponsored by BP and the EPSRC. I developed elastomers containing graphene nanoplatelets, work which sought to prevent oil leaks, and I gradually developed an interest in sustainability and the environment. Following on from this, I joined the University of Bradford to work on the recycling of elastomers and complex polymers as part of the £1m EPSRC joint UK-China funded Low Carbon grant (EP/S018573/1). This research was performed in collaboration with Sichuan University, who have developed technology for the recycling of polymer materials. Over the course of this 4 year project, we produced many publications on the recycling and reprocessing of waste into high value materials, which has generated commercial interest.