{"links":{"self":"http://dataportal.arc.gov.au/NCGP/API/grants/DE260101921"},"data":{"type":"grant-details","id":"DE260101921","attributes":{"code":"DE260101921","administering-organisation":"Macquarie University","announcement-administering-organisation":"Macquarie University","scheme-name":"Discovery Early Career Researcher Award","grant-status":"Active","funding-commencement-year":2026,"years-funded":3,"project-start-date":"2026-01-01","anticipated-end-date":"2028-12-31","grant-summary":"Two-Stage Catalytic Upcycling of Waste Plastics into Valuable Monomers. This project aims to develop innovative catalytic technology for converting non-degradable polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) plastic waste into valuable monomers, which can be repurposed for the production of biodegradable polymers, promoting a circular plastic economy. This will be achieved through the design of bi-functional catalysts capable of breaking down persistent plastic waste into short-chain chemical compounds with a narrow product distribution in a tandem reactor system. The outcomes of this project will provide an advanced solution for efficiently managing plastic waste while enabling the production of high-value chemicals, contributing to both Australia's environmental sustainability and economic growth. ","funding-current":534320.00,"funding-at-announcement":530079,"investigators-current":[{"title":"Dr","firstName":"Jiaquan","familyName":"Li","roleName":"Discovery Early Career Researcher Award","roleCode":"DECRA","isFellowship":true,"orcidIdentifier":"0000-0001-7924-0573 "}],"investigators-at-announcement":[{"title":"Dr","firstName":"Jiaquan","familyName":"Li","roleName":"Discovery Early Career Researcher Award","roleCode":"DECRA","isFellowship":true,"orcidIdentifier":"0000-0001-7924-0573 "}],"organisations-current":[{"organisationName":"Macquarie University","roleName":"Administering Organisation","state":"NSW"}],"organisations-at-announcement":[{"organisationName":"Macquarie University","roleName":"Administering Organisation","state":"NSW"}],"field-of-research":[{"isPrimary":false,"code":"400408","name":"Reaction Engineering (Excl. Nuclear Reactions)","type":"FOR20"},{"isPrimary":true,"code":"4016","name":"Materials Engineering","type":"FOR20"},{"isPrimary":false,"code":"401605","name":"Functional Materials","type":"FOR20"},{"isPrimary":false,"code":"401899","name":"Nanotechnology Not Elsewhere Classified","type":"FOR20"}],"socio-economic-objective":[{"code":"240604","name":"Management of Solid Waste From Manufacturing Activities","type":"SEO20"},{"code":"240699","name":"Environmentally Sustainable Manufacturing Activities Not Elsewhere Classified","type":"SEO20"},{"code":"240910","name":"Plastics","type":"SEO20"}],"international-collaboration":[],"lief-register":[],"achievement-summary":null,"national-interest-test-statement":"Effective management of polyolefin plastic waste is a critical challenge in addressing white pollution in Australia. This project aims to develop an energy-efficient process for upcycling plastic waste into valuable monomers through a two-step catalytic reaction while minimizing undesired by-products. A key focus is on achieving high reaction efficiency using advanced functional catalysts, contributing to both environmental sustainability and economic growth. This initiative will drive innovation in plastic waste upcycling technologies, providing significant environmental benefits both domestically and globally. Additionally, the project will support sustainable development by addressing key technological challenges in chemical recycling, enabling the production of high-value materials. The expected advancements will enhance resource recovery, reduce plastic pollution, and alleviate economic burdens associated with polyolefin waste. Furthermore, this project aligns with the objectives of the Solving Plastic Waste Cooperative Research Center, supporting the transition to a circular economy for plastics. It also complements national initiatives such as the National Waste Policy Action Plan and the National Plastics Plan, reinforcing Australia’s commitment to sustainable waste management."}}}