REDONDO project has now been running for two and a half years and the latest progress was discussed in the M30 consortium meeting hosted by AIMEN, at the Laser Applications Centre of the AIMEN Technology Centre, in Porriño, Pontevedra, on the 13 of March 2025.
Filipa Lima, from AIMEN, and Dimitrios Bikiaris, the coordinator of the project welcomed the participants to the meeting and the WP and Task leaders further presented the work carried out since M24. Preparation for the next consortium meeting was discussed in WP1, the coordination and management work package.
Exciting results were discussed in WP3. AUTH confirmed the previous promising results on the synthesis of reversibly cross-linked HDPE through carbon-dithio bonds, while CNRS reported successful reversible cross-linking of HDPE via Diels-Alder chemistry.
The progress with composite materials were discussed in WP4 and WP5. In WP4, CNANO and ITENE shared advancements in the development of lignin- and cellulose-based hybrid additives respectively. Meanwhile, ITENE, AUTH and AIMEN, for WP4 and WP5, presented their latest work on high-density polyethylene composites incorporating cellulose- and lignin-based nanoadditives. Some of these results will soon be made public through at least two scientific publications expected in the upcoming months. Additionally, within WP5, INTER presented planned actions and KBE updates regarding the separation between the inner copper wires and the outer HDPE sheath of photovoltaic cables.
In WP6, ITENE presented their work on the safety aspects of the project, outlining the criteria to assess chemical safety. Initial hazard assessments of several key chemicals involved in HDPE cross-linking and additives preparation were presented, along with the first results on workplace monitoring.
For WP7, ISQ presented initial environmental impact assessments, conducted both on cross-linked HDPE and on nanoadditives, as well as the methodology for social-LCA. AIMEN presented recyclability studies on HDPE/lignin composites and shared the progress on the additives inventory. ITENE introduced the criteria for sustainability by-design assessment, while AXIA presented the initial steps for the development of the PLACE-me tool.
Last but not least, in the context of WP8, RDC presented updated analytics on REDONDO’s website and social media presence, along with the launch of the project’s new YouTube channel and latest dissemination activities. AXIA provided an update on the risk analysis of key exploitable results (KERs), an initial competitors analysis and patent mapping, and the patent application for CNANO.
With significant progress across all work packages the M30 meeting was a real success. These exciting developments will soon be shared with wider audiences through scientific publications and upcoming workshops!
Figure 1: REDONDO’s 30M Consortium Meeting