EPF Summer School 2027
Recycling and Recyclability of Polymers:
from Fundamental to Holistic Approaches
The European Polymer Federation (EPF), in collaboration with the Italian Association of Macromolecular Science and Technology (AIM), is pleased to announce the EPF Summer School 2027 on "Recycling and Recyclability of Polymers: from Fundamental to Holistic Approaches"
🎯 The School at a Glance
To tackle the EU's plastic recycling challenge, this edition adopts a systemic approach focused on three core pillars:
🔬 Technical Innovation
📊 Socio-Economic Analysis
🌐 Systemic Modeling & Policy
Join us to learn from world-class experts, advance your research, and network for the green transition!
Bertinoro (FC), Italy
May 9-13, 2027
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Co-Chairs
M. Laus
Università del Piemonte Orientale
(Italy)
J.F. Gérard
Université de Lyon
(France)
J. Duchet-Rumeau
Université de Lyon
(France)
S. Djomo
Aarhus University
(Denmark)
Minna Hakkarainen
KTH Royal Institute of Technology
(Sweden)
About the School: Driving the Polymer Revolution
The Challenge: Beyond the Linear Model
Developing a true Circular Economy in the plastics sector is no longer optional—it is an absolute necessity. Today, less than a third of collected plastic waste within the EU is sent to recycling facilities, and only a fraction of that amount is actually recycled. Moving toward a 100% recycling rate remains a tremendous scientific and socio-economic challenge.
Our mission is to advance the knowledge and stimulate the innovation needed to break down the technical, economic, and behavioral barriers holding back global recycling rates.
The Complexity: A Systemic Puzzle
The plastic objects we use daily are incredibly complex. They span countless polymer formulations, contain a vast array of additives, and are frequently combined with other materials like paper, aluminum, or glass fibers. Furthermore, their life cycle spans from packaging and automotive to aerospace and agriculture, involving a massive web of stakeholders:
🧪 Chemical & polymer industries
🏭 Manufacturers & retailers
🏠 Households & municipalities
🚛 Waste collectors & processors
Because no single entity can solve this alone, the EPF Summer School 2027 adopts a strictly systemic approach to address every link in the value chain.
Our Core Pillars & Focus Areas
To build a near future where a socio-economic system uses carbon in a completely circular, fossil-free manner—using biogenic carbon from biomass to offset system losses—the school focuses on three interconnected dimensions:
🔬 1. Technical Innovation & Material Design
- Smart Waste Management: Developing advanced collection systems powered by tagging, blockchain, and artificial intelligence (AI).
- Next-Gen Recycling: Advancing mechanical, chemical, and biotechnological recycling technologies while improving contaminant quantification.
- Design for Circularity: Learning how to easily dismantle complex, multicomponent structures and design materials that are recyclable by definition.
📊 2. Socio-Economic Frameworks & Human Behavior
- Economic Flows: Understanding macro stocks, financial flows, and the baseline economics of waste management.
- Environmental Metrics: Evaluating real-world impacts using rigorous Life Cycle Analysis (LCA).
- Stakeholder Dynamics: Studying the human element, including consumer sorting behavior and industrial incentives.
🌐 3. Modeling, Regulation & Standardization
- Analyzing recycling loops through systemic modeling.
- Policy & Rules: Tackling critical modern issues in international regulation, policy frameworks, and industry standardization
General Infos on the School
- Who is the school for? The school is addressed to PhD students and young researchers who are invited to present a poster contribution on their research activities.
- Is the school officially considered a doctoral/PhD-level study programme? Yes, it is.
- Does participation award ECTS credits? If so, how many? No, none. AIM is not a certifying institution like a university.
- Will the ECTS credits (or study hours) be stated on the certificate or another official document? A certificate of attendance will be issued. Upon request, we can provide a certificate stating the number of hours attended and, in the case of a poster contribution, the details of the presentation.
- Who officially organizes the conference and issues the certificate? Associazione Italiana di Scienza e Tecnologia delle Macromolecole (Italian Association of Macromolecular Science and Technology)
Scientific Committee
S. Carroccio
IPCB-CNR
(Italy)
Silvia Vicini
Università di Genova
(Italy)
Paolo Lomellini
ENI/Versalis
(Italy)
Maila Castellano
Universita' di Genova
(Italy)
Organization
Maria Graziella Viola
Administrative Secretariat
Patrizia Barraco
Administrative Secretariat
Silvia Vicini
AIM Secretariat
Libera Vitiello
CNR IPCB
Andrea Batistini
Website Manager
Speakers
Just for now...
Anthony J. Ryan
University of Sheffield
(UK)
Antoine Buchard
University of York
(UK)
Martina Salzano de Luna
Università di Napoli “Federico II”
(Italy)
Thomas Längle
Fraunhofer-Institut für Optronik, Karlsruhe
(Germany)
Minna Hakkarainen
KTH Royal Institute of Technology
(Germany)
Sylvestre Njakou Djomo
Aarhus University
(Denmark)
Mariya Edeleva
Ghent University
(Belgium)
Registration
The School is primarily reserved for PhD students and young researchers, who are invited to present a poster contribution on their research activities
Participation is exclusive to AIM members. The annual membership fee for 2027 is €50, which must be paid in addition to the school registration fee.
AIM fee for Members of the Società Chimica Italiana (SCI), is €30
The registration fees for the EPF Summer School 2027 are listed in the table below and do not include the AIM membership fee.
Registration Category* |
Early Bird Rate (by April 1st, 2027)VAT 22% Included |
Early Bird Rate (After April 1st, 2027)VAT 22% Included |
| PhDs Students / Young Researchers** | € 760 | € 820 |
| Accompanying Person | € 360 | € 420 |
*What is included: the welcome party, social dinner, coffee breaks, lunches and double-room accommodation at the conference venue.
** Please note: You will need to provide proof of your student status (such as a student card or a letter from your supervisor).
Please note that:
- Payment of both fees (AIM and School fees) can be made in a single transaction.
- Two separate documents will be issued: a VAT-exempt receipt for the AIM membership and an invoice for the conference fee.
- On-site Rate is not available
Registration Guide
1st step: Access the Portal
Go to the association’s registration and event platform at AIM Planetweb
2nd step: Log In or Register
- If you already have an account, enter your credentials to access your personal dashboard
- If you are a new member, Click on “Click on New? Send an Affiliation Request”
3rd step: Complete the registration to the AIM website
Enter your email and a secure password (min. 6 characters, including uppercase, lowercase, numeric, and special characters). Check and accept the privacy policy box and click Register to create your AIM account
4th step: Verify your Email
Click the link in the automated email sent to your inbox to activate your account.
5th step: Register to the Conference
From your AIM homepage dashboard, select EPF Summer School 2027 and complete the online registration form.
6th step: Upload Document & Choose the payment method
Download the generated PDF application form, sign it, and upload it to your personal AIM area. Payment can be completed via PayPal, credit card or bank transfer.
At the end, a pdf file will be generated. Sign up the pdf file and upload it in your AIM personal page.
For any doubts, please check the FAQs below. If you cannot find the answer to your question, feel free to write to school@aim.it or segreteria@aim.it
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Is it mandatory to register with Associazione Italiana di Scienza e Tecnologia delle Macromolecole (AIM)?
Yes. Participation in all AIM-organized events is strictly reserved for members. Registration is valid for the calendar year and allows you to attend all scheduled events without paying the membership fee each time
- I am a member of the Italian Chemical Society (SCI). Am I eligible for a discount on the AIM registration fee?
Yes. The discounted registration fee for SCI members is € 30.
- What type of document will be issued for the AIM registration?
You will receive a receipt exempt from VAT in accordance with Art. 4, paragraph 4/5 of Presidential Decree (D.P.R.) 633/72 and subsequent amendments.
- What type of document will be issued for the school registration fee?
You will receive a commercial invoice subject to 22% VAT upon receipt of payment.
- What does the registration fee include?
It covers the school tuition, double-room accommodation at the conference venue, all social events, as well as all breakfasts, coffee breaks, and lunches.
- Is it possible to book a single room instead of a double room?
Yes, single rooms are available. However, any additional costs must be paid directly to CeuB (please refer to the Accommodation section in this page).
- Is it possible to issue a single invoice for both fees (AIM and School)?
No, separate documents must be issued.
- Is it possible to make a single payment for both fees (AIM and School)?
Yes, both fees can be paid together in a single transaction.
- How will I receive the documents?
Once your payment has been processed, the documents will be uploaded to your personal page on the AIM registration portal. Please note that availability may take some time, as it depends on the schedule of the AIM board meetings to approve requests. Additionally, your invoice will be sent via email through the Bluenext electronic invoicing system
- Which entity issues the documents for the AIM membership fee and the school registration fee?
Associazione Italiana di Scienza e Tecnologia delle Macromolecole (AIM)
Via ROLANDINO 1 – 40124 Bologna (Italy)
Tax Code (CF): 91355580373 – VAT no. 04370291207
Email: segreteria@aim.it
- I do not have a PayPal account. Can I pay by credit card?
Yes. At checkout, select Credit Card/PayPal as your payment method. The system will redirect you to a secure payment gateway where you can enter your card details and finalize the transaction.
- What are the bank details (IBAN) for bank transfers?
- Bank Account no.: 000049462676
- Bank: BPER, Via Edoardo Bonardi, 4 – 20133 MILANO
- IBAN: IT33Z0538701647000049462676
- BIC/SWIFT: BPMOIT22XXX
- Beneficiary: Associazione Italiana di Scienza e Tecnologia delle Macromolecole
- Is it possible to get a refund for the fee already paid if I can no longer attend the event?
A 50% refund of the prepaid registration fee is available for written cancellations received by April 30th, 2027. No refunds will be issued after this date. The refund will be processed after the conference.
- Is it possible to pay onsite at the venue?
No, onsite payment is not available.
Abstract
You are invited to contribute to the success of the school with a poster presentation. Please submit your abstract by February 28th, 2027, using the template downloadable below. The abstract must be uploaded to your personal page on the AIM portal (you can find step-by-step guidance in the "Registration" tab). If you wish to submit multiple abstracts, please send them via email to school@aim.it.
Important Dates:
• Submission Deadline: February 28th, 2027
• Notification of Acceptance: March 15th, 2027
Should you have questions, please have a look at the FAQs below. If you cannot find the answer to your question, feel free to write to school@aim.it
Frequently Asked Questions
- Will the abstracts be published in a booklet or a journal?
The abstracts will be published in the school’s abstract booklet. There will be no subsequent publication in scientific journals
- Will there be an award for the best poster?
Yes, a scientific committee will evaluate the abstracts and select the winners.
A surprise award awaits the winner(s)!
Accommodation and Travel Facilities
The conference will be held at the University Residential Center, in Bertinoro (FC), Italy
Please note the following accommodation and transport details:
- Booking: Participants must book their rooms directly with the venue.
- Room Options: Double rooms are available. Single rooms can also be requested but are not covered by the school fee.
- Extra Costs: The additional cost for a single room must be paid directly to Ce.U.B.
- Shuttle Service: A shuttle service to and from Bertinoro is available. Shuttles depart from both Bologna Airport (BLQ) and Bologna Central Train Station.
Click the button below to make a reservation.
For inquiries on accommodation or transport, please consult the FAQs below.
If you cannot find the answer, feel free to write directly to Ce.U.B. at segreteria@ceub.it .
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who should I contact for inquiries regarding accommodation and transport to/from Bertinoro?
- Centro Universitario di Bertinoro – Fondazione Ce.U.B.
Via Frangipane 6, 47032 Bertinoro (FC) - Tel: +39 0543.446500
- Email: segreteria@ceub.it
- Centro Universitario di Bertinoro – Fondazione Ce.U.B.
- I have booked a single room. Who will release the invoice?
As single rooms are not included in the School registration fee, the additional cost must be paid directly to CeuB, which will issue the invoice for that specific amount.
Disclaimer
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Conference Venue
Fondazione Ce.U.B. - Bertinoro (FC)
