Expertise
AIMPLAS, Technological Institute of Plastics located in Valencia, is a research organisation with 32 years of experience and its fields of work are related to technological research and development on thermoplastic and thermosetting plastic materials & products, its transformation processes and their recyclability and sustainability. AIMPLAS generates new knowledge and technologies that can be transferred to companies to help them increase their effectiveness and competitiveness. It also has broad expertise in recycling, compatibilization, reactive extrusion, biopolymers and renewable source materials, special assisted processing technologies and nanocomposites, among other fields, gained during the last years in the frame of EU and national projects (coordinating more than 35% of them).
AIMPLAS, as RTO, is focused on helping companies in the plastic sector to develop new products and increase their competitiveness through innovation, by using AIMPLAS’ facilities every year allowing them to test new materials, optimize production processes and launch new products to the market, supported by AIMPLAS technical staff. AIMPLAS is a member of several international networks and organizations, such as ECP4, AESICOM or BIC and standardization committees (ISO and CEN).
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Key persons involved in NEXT-STEP
Adolfo Benedito
PhD in Chemistry from the University of Valencia about ABS copolymer degradation and recycling capabilities.
Since Mars 2001, he has been working at AIMPLAS as head of the Compounding department until 2009, and as Head of the Materials Research Department until 2017. He has been the main technical responsible for several EU research and national projects and author and co-author of several papers, patents and book chapters focused on nanotechnology applied to polymeric materials. For 6 months he collaborated at PPI (Polymer Processing Institute) in New Jersey (USA) with professors Xanthos and Ming-Wan Young.
Óscar Cabezuelo
PhD in SustainableChemistry by the Polytechnic University of Valencia, BSc in Chemistry and MSc in Organic Chemistry by the University of Valencia.
He holds 6 years of experience working in the Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) field conducted by photocatalytic approaches. He has a strong background in photochemistry and its application for wastewater management. Strongly trained in the design and synthesis of novel photocatalysts and their characterization. Also, he’s worked for 2 years as a microscopist, conferring him a high level of competence in the advanced characterization of heterogeneous materials. Finally, he has published several scientific papers and one patent.
Itziar Carracedo
University Degree in Chemical Engineering from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid.
She has worked in the International Projects Unit at AIMPLAS since 2007 as International Project Manager. She has been involved in international R&D projects funded under the 6th, 7th, H2020 and HORIZON EUROPE Framework Programmes, developing technical management and coordination tasks. Since 2015 her role has been head of the International Projects in AIMPLAS being responsible for all the international projects running not only under the H2020 and HEU programme but also with other instruments such as ERASMUS+, LIFE – Programme for Environment, European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), among others.
Sandra Colina Márquez
Industrial Engineer from the Yacambú University (Venezuela) and has an MSc in Project Management from the Polytechnic University of Valencia (Spain).
Currently, she has been an R&D Project Manager at the Plastic Technological Centre (AIMPLAS) since July 2021, her experience in R&D Project management (National and European projects) started in 2007 within the construction, Health and Plastic Sectors. She has collaborated in several European projects funded under 7th, H2020 and HORIZON EUROPE, LIFE Framework Programmes.
María Romero Ángel
PhD from Institute of Molecular Science ICMol of Valencia
Currently, she has been an R&D Project Manager at the Plastic Technological Centre (AIMPLAS) since April 2024.
