104: Creating Infinitely Recyclable Polymers (ft. Dr. Kezi Cheng)

Recycling plastic reduces its mechanical properties, proportional to the number of recycling cycles. If recycled too much, a plastic bag may tear when filled with groceries and its color and texture may change. Making new products, rather than recycling, can be an appealing option if environmental impacts are overlooked. What if we could permanently overcome this degradation in properties of recycled plastic? What if we could make a material that can be recycled forever, at a low cost and high yield? 
 
In today’s episode, we welcome Dr. Kezi Cheng, a recycling warrior and the CEO of Flo Materials, Inc, a startup that focuses on enabling infinitely recyclable polymers. With her, we discuss: 
 
🔹FLO Materials’ general approach to enabling infinitely recyclable polymers, using Polydiketoenamines (PDK’s).
🔹️The cost efficiency of recycling vs. creating new plastic products.
🔹️What the global landscape of infinitely recyclable polymers looks like.
🔹How the number of women in innovation and entrepreneurship can shape fields.
🔹And much more! 
 
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#materialsscience #flomaterials #technology #polymers #recycablepolymers