Institutions
University of Aveiro
The University of Aveiro (UA), with less than 50 years since its foundation, is currently considered one of the most innovative universities in Portugal, known for its ability to integrate quality education and research in an environment conducive to integration and cooperation with society. Attended by more than 15 000 students on undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, the UA has achieved a significant position amongst higher education institutions, being one of the top universities regarding the quality of its infrastructures, the strength of its research and the excellence of its staff. Since 2019, UA is part of the ECIU University, together with other 12 research intensive universities, with a collective emphasis on innovation, creativity, and societal impact driving the development of a knowledge-based economy.
UA has 20 research units, among which CICECO – Aveiro Institute of Materials is completely dedicated to the study, improvement, and innovation of materials. CICECO is the largest and FCT best rated Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) institute, joining 500 chemists, physicists, and materials engineers. It has a successful partnership with industry, and is engaged in many EU programs (viz., 9 ERC and 3 EIC grants). CICECO research lines encourage the advancement of the scientific and technological knowledge necessary for the innovative production and transformation of materials for a sustainable development and the benefit of society.
Colaborations
CESAM is a research unit of the University of Aveiro (UA) with the status of Associated Laboratory since 2005, evaluated with the highest grade of Excellent since 2014. The main objective of CESAM is to promote more efficient use of terrestrial and aquatic (from catchment to the deep sea) environmental resources and a more competitive, resilient, and sustainable economy framed into 4 multidisciplinary thematic lines (Ecology & Functional Biodiversity, Environment & Health, Marine Ecosystems & Resources, Integrated Environmental Systems). CESAM stands out due to its transdisciplinary research character and the promotion of international collaboration, gathering ca. 500 members (240 PhD) with knowledge and expertise on fundamental and applied research in the natural and social sciences.
Role in PlatILplus: The cooperation foreseen in this project with CESAM will support the execution of life cycle assessment (LCA). This task will be coordinated by Ana C. Dias and aims a comparison with different end-of-life scenarios from an environmental perspective to analyze the life cycle inventory and life cycle impact assessment.
Main contact: Dr. Ana C. Dias
CECOLAB Association – Collaborative Laboratory Towards Circular Economy is a private, non-profit institution, which aims to develop sustainable market solutions in a Circular Economy context based on three technological platforms: industrial biotechnology, sustainable separation process, and green chemistry and ecodesign. The main objective of CECOLAB is to develop a sustainable market solution in a circular economy model for the strategic national value chain, with high repercussion effect on other chain valuers of local economy.
Role in PlatILplus: The cooperation with CECOLAB will support the laboratorial validation at kg batch scale of the process developed under PlatILPlus project. Furthermore, CECOLAB will further support the future commercialization and knowledge transfer of any relevant results from the project to the industry. CECOLAB researcher André Lopes will be responsible for process scale-up.
Main contact: Dr. André Lopes
VALORCAR is a private, non-profit entity which aims to promote the correct management of waste related to the car's life cycle, organizing its collection and recycling, encouraging the improvement of the economic, social and environmental performance of all the agents involved.
Role in PlatILplus: Provide Spent Automotive Catalytic Converters (SACC).