![Center-for-Plastics-innovation-large-white Center for Plastics Innovaiton](https://cpi.udel.edu/files/2020/09/Center-for-Plastics-innovation-large-white.png)
A hub for transformative chemical conversion strategies and enabling cross-cutting tools
Research
![crushed-bottles crushed bottles](https://cpi.udel.edu/files/2020/09/crushed-bottles.jpg)
Thrust 1
Plastics Deconstruction to Value-Added Products
![multi-colored-plastic-bags-large-rs](https://cpi.udel.edu/files/2020/09/multi-colored-plastic-bags-large-rs.jpg)
Thrust 2
Upcycling of PPW to Functional Polymers
![uncropped-bottles-on-assembly-line-rs](https://cpi.udel.edu/files/2020/09/uncropped-bottles-on-assembly-line-rs.jpg)
Thrust 3
Developing Cross-Cutting Tools of PPW Valorization
![blue-bottles-rs bright blue bottles](https://cpi.udel.edu/files/2020/09/blue-bottles-rs.jpg)
Motivation
Globally, around 311 million tons of plastic products were manufactured in 2014. That number is estimated to double by 2034. And as our plastics production increases, so do the projected environmental impacts. This accumulation of plastic waste is squeezing our landfills, burdening our oceans, and contaminating our soils and groundwater with dangerous byproducts. Less than 10% of the United States’ (U.S.) polymer plastic waste (PPW) is actually collected for recycling.
Our Vision
The Center for Plastics Innovation (CPI) seizes the unique opportunity to integrate a data- and systems-driven approach with molecular-level understanding, synthesis of novel, multiscale catalytic materials, new processing schemes, and functionalization approaches toward new polymers to reconstruct the current PPW paradigm to positively impact the U.S. and global economy via efficient and environmentally-benign pathways. CPI integrates expertise from multiple domains to position itself uniquely in the world to perform science that would otherwise not be possible.
News
![Stuart Rowan elected to the Royal Society](https://cpi.udel.edu/files/2024/05/Stuart-RSFellow-Pic.png)
Stuart Rowan elected to the Royal Society
Stuart Rowan (Univ. of Chicago) is elected to Fellowship of the Royal Society (UK).
![Polymer Sustainability Workshop](https://cpi.udel.edu/files/2024/05/NRELCPI-Polymer-Sustainability-Workshop-1080-x-608-px.png)
Polymer Sustainability Workshop
CPI hosts a workshop for students and educators.
![Earth Day Webinar | GAYO & Friends](https://cpi.udel.edu/files/2024/05/GAYO-post-1080-x-608-px.png)
Earth Day Webinar | GAYO & Friends
We are excited to announce a special, Earth Day webinar featuring a panel of speakers from the Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO). This webinar looks to expand our perspectives on how plastic is used and disposed of, globally. The panel will cover topics...
![UChicago Highlight | Sam Marsden](https://cpi.udel.edu/files/2024/06/SamMarsden_WebsitePic.png)
UChicago Highlight | Sam Marsden
Sam Marsden, a graduate student at the University of Chicago, discuss his research and more in this university highlight.
Partners
![UPenn University of Pennsylvania](https://cpi.udel.edu/files/2020/09/UPenn.png)
![UnivChicago University of Chicago](https://cpi.udel.edu/files/2020/09/UnivChicago.png)
![UMass-Amherst University of Massachusetts - Amherst](https://cpi.udel.edu/files/2020/09/UMass-Amherst-1.png)
![Oak-Ridge-laboratory Oak Ridge National Laboratory](https://cpi.udel.edu/files/2020/09/Oak-Ridge-laboratory-2.png)