Welcome

The Center for Sustainable Polymers (CSP) integrates sustainability issues that focus on the science and technology of polymeric materials into research, education, and public outreach initiatives. Members of the center concentrate their research efforts on harnessing the renewable, functional, degradable and non-toxic ingredients provided by Nature for tomorrow’s advanced plastics, foams, adhesives, elastomers, coatings and other macromolecular materials. To foster innovation the CSP partners with numerous companies that develop, implement, and advance technologies in the sustainable polymer industry. In addition to the research mission of the CSP, members also foster outreach activities to educate future scientists and the public about the science and technology of sustainability.

Highlights

Recent News & Events

• Obama administration announces broad plan for national bio-economy. Read the full report here.

• Plastic Disclosure Project works to decrease the use of plastics by asking the world's businesses to measure, manage, reduce, and benefit from plastic waste. Read More

• University Relations Science Reporter Deane Morrison has written a feature on Michelle Driessen's efforts to transform general chemistry labs, and Jane Wissinger's efforts to "green" organic chemistry labs at the University of Minnesota. Read More

• Susan Freinkel explores the impact of plastic packaging on food in a recent Washington Post article. Read More

• The Center for Sustainable Polymers was awarded the third largest National Science Foundation grant in Minnesota during 2011. Read the full article here.

• Watch this CBS video investigating the growing amount of plastic waste in the ocean. CSP's compostable plastic development offers an alternative to the plastic soup.

• Read the BioBusiness Alliance's Minnesota Roadmap: Recommendations for BioIndustrial Processing. The report details the factors influencing the development of biobased chemicals industry and identifies opportunity areas for Minnesota.

• Compostable plastics are key to implementing many composting programs. Read the C&EN story "Old Plastics, Fresh Dirt."

Archived News