In the " Greater Poland for Planet 2030" competition, the group of distinguished young scientists included a doctoral student of the Doctoral School in the discipline of chemical sciences - Joanna Szymańska.

In February this year, the "Greater Poland for Planet 2030" competition was held, organized by the Marshal's Office of the City of Poznan. The competition aimed to promote scientific activity related to the need for integrated activities in the economic, social and climate protection areas. An important issue was to promote the Greater Poland region's contribution to achieving sustainable development in both environmental and socio-economic aspects.

The competition was conducted in three stages, and the committee included representatives of all Poznan universities as well as employees and specialists from the Marshal's Office.

Ms. Joanna's project concerns the impact of natural carbon materials on the structure and properties of plastics. The research is aimed at the use of natural and waste carbon materials as fillers for plastics, such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE) or polylactide (PLA). As a result of the work carried out, composite systems with good properties and low weight are created. Thanks to this action, it is possible to reduce the consumption of plastics and utilize carbon materials, including waste. One of the trends in research is also material recycling of the obtained composites, which fits very well into the assumptions of a circular economy - closed loop economy.

The prize awarded in the competition is a two-week stay at the Danau Girang Field Center in Borneo.

Hearty congratulations!