NPS17 2022 Keynote Speaker Kim Ragaert

Prof. Kim Ragaert

Full Professor Maastricht University

Kim Ragaert is full professor at Maastricht University, holding the Chair of Circular Plastics. She obtained her PhD in polymer processing at Ghent University in 2011 and began to develop her research in mechanical recycling of plastics soon after.

Her lab and research group are on the Chemelot industrial site in Geleen, NL. The Circular Plastics team focuses on structure-property-processing relationships in thermoplastics and translates these fundamentals to methods for increased quality and quantity in recycling. Research topics include concepts of quality for recycling, the macromolecular interactions in complex mixes, the effects of contaminations and degradation, design for & from recycling and the balance between different recycling pathways. Interdisciplinary topics include systems thinking for plastics, cost calculation in recycling and how to connect technical quality to LCA.

Kim is a strong believer in value-chain cooperation and interdisciplinary research. She was the 2020 European Plastics Recycling Ambassador.