Dr. Michael Schiller’s Post

Every year, billions of trees are cut down to supply the paper industry. Most of it happens quietly, and paper feels harmless. But globally, around 3 billion trees per year are harvested for paper and packaging production. That number changes how you see a box. We explored the full scale behind paper production in our latest article. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eW34cUUv

I am pleased to share that our book chapter titled “Methods and Preparation Techniques of Biobased Epoxy Vitrimer” has been published in the book Biobased Epoxy Vitrimer Composites (2026), pp. 85–105, published by Elsevier. 📘 The chapter discusses various synthesis methods and preparation techniques for biobased epoxy vitrimer composites, highlighting their potential for sustainable and recyclable polymer systems. 🌱 #BookChapter #EpoxyVitrimer #BiobasedMaterials #Elsevier #SustainablePolymers #ResearchPublication

🌟I am happy to share that my first research publications have been published in the "International Journal of Adhesion and Adhesives" Elsevier and the "Journal of Coatings Technology and Research" Springer Nature ✍️The work focuses on developing sustainable solutions for paper-based packaging, including polysaccharide based heat-seal adhesives and improved water-based OTR and WVTR barrier coatings for paper substrates. These studies explore approaches to enhance the functionality of paper packaging while supporting the transition toward more sustainable materials ♻️. I am grateful for the guidance and support of my supervisor Professor (Dr) S. T. Mhaske throughout this work. 🔗 Articles: 1. Greener synthesis of Heat-seal Adhesives for Paper Packaging https://lnkd.in/gf2KW5cH 2. Barrier performance of inorganic fillers in PVOH dispersion coatings for sustainable paper packaging https://lnkd.in/gkcBZqvt New milestone ⭐, and I look forward to exploring many more ideas ahead in my research journey... #PaperPackaging #SustainableMaterials #Adhesives #Coatings #Research #PolymerScience

At last a balanced article that dispels myths about microplastics in the brain and related nonsense. Thank you Emily Monaco for interviewing Plastics Research Council for the science in perspective. "Materić believes that more than half of the papers reporting on microplastics in human tissues may have had similar problems. And according to Chris DeArmitt, PhD FRSC FIMMM Cchem, Founder & President of the Plastics Research Council, this isn’t the only issue plaguing some of the microplastics research.  “I have shown for many years that a large proportion of microplastic studies are not valid because they made elementary scientific mistakes,” he says. “Since then, the European Food Safety Agency and other scientists around the world have published reports and studies agreeing with me.” He notes that a large proportion — perhaps over 80% — of these studies’ results are invalidated in whole or in part due to methodological problems. These problems include studying a special lab-made plastic particle type unlike those found in the real world, or neglecting to compare the effects of microplastics to those of other particles, like cellulose or clay. “Sometimes a study will use the word ‘accumulation’ when they actually found particles but without evidence that they accumulated,” he adds." Due to these errors, DeArmitt alleges that the worries regarding microplastics are completely unfounded. “The lifetime consumption of microplastic is <0.01g and they pass right through us without any evidence of accumulation,” he says, citing a class action legal case whereby plastic fibers were implanted in the body.  “They were attacked and destroyed by the body, just like it would destroy a splinter of wood or other foreign object,” he says. “The body has natural defense systems to remove and destroy any such particles, so they do not accumulate.” https://lnkd.in/eVtKPeTp

My final graduate school paper is officially published today 🎉 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gKrvkMV3 In this work, we show that polymer solubility and phase behavior (not just intrinsic bond reactivity) control depolymerization rates in chemical recycling. Using PET, PETG, and PC as model systems, we demonstrate how catalyst choice and polymer–solvent compatibility can shift reactions from slow, heterogeneous processes to rapid, homogeneous ones. These insights help explain why real-world plastic recycling and degradation don’t always follow textbook chemistry, and point toward more efficient recycling strategies. Grateful to everyone who made this journey possible!

𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 “𝗮 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗼𝗻 (~𝟲𝗴) 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻”… 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗳𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗯𝗮𝗱 𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗹. So we wrote a short, and clear fact based credibility check: 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲’�� 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺: 🔹The exposure math alone breaks the story. We only ingest 0.000003g per week. Lifetime ingestion is about 0.01g. 🔹About 99.7% of small particles pass straight through us. 🔹That makes “6g in the brain” physically impossible on intake alone. The study images don’t prove it’s plastic. The study labels particles as “putative”—𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗻𝗼 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰. The test method is known to misidentify plastics. They used pyrolysis GC-MS a method that does not work. 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝘆𝗲𝘁𝗵𝘆𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝗱𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗳𝗮𝘁/𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗶𝗱𝘀, 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘀. Be sure to read the letter: It puts numbers + methods + basic plausibility checks back into the conversation—before policy, procurement, or public fear runs off a cliff. Save this post and share it with any person who posts about microplastics in the brain. 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗰𝘁. Be sure to also check out This Video: https://lnkd.in/dweRn48y

As a reminder, the idea that we have grams of plastic in our brain has been disproven over and over again by scientists all over the world, I was just the first. https://lnkd.in/gJAirrGA Brain microplastics study wrong https://lnkd.in/gH2SqjmN Brain study debunked https://lnkd.in/gAn3qC2s Microplastics do not cause cardiac events https://lnkd.in/gzKhSZYY Particles in blood mainly pigments https://lnkd.in/gfVgE-uj Microplastics in the body disproven? https://lnkd.in/g4a94RXw Scientists misleading us on microplastics https://lnkd.in/gT2CVTjJ Microplastics - exposure low & non-toxic https://lnkd.in/gCfmJM6a Why worry about dust? https://lnkd.in/e9DFZrcP OSHA on Dust https://lnkd.in/g4d9CMHf Focusing on plastic particles is irrational https://lnkd.in/gAtJ39rg Ocean microplastics "Negligible" https://lnkd.in/gap6bdeT 80% of microplastic studies invalid https://lnkd.in/gGmkWHSr US FDA says microplastics not a threat

How do you actually make a circular packaging? And what does that mean for processability and for instance sealing of the packaging? These are just a few of the questions packaging developers face when working towards circular packaging solutions. At Empack Gorinchem, Brightlands Materials Centre and TNO will contribute to Dr. Empack, where experts help the industry address practical circular packaging challenges. Polymer scientist Silvia Gentiluomo, PhD (Brightlands Materials Centre / TNO) will answer questions on polymer recyclability, design for recycling and the material impact of sealing. Do you have a packaging question? Bring it to Empack or submit it in advance: https://lnkd.in/eXAxB6cQ

You may think you’re opting for a safe choice with paper cups, but the reality is more complex. While they are labeled as paper, these cups are lined with plastic (polyethylene), which can shed thousands of microplastic particles into your drink when filled with hot beverages. A 2021 study revealed that a single hot drink in a paper cup can release approximately 25,000 microplastic particles. What appears clean and convenient is still plastic in contact with hot liquids. For daily consumption, I prefer my beverages to come from glass, ceramic, or stainless steel. References: -Goel, S., et al. (2020). Environmental Science & Technology. -Joseph, A., et al. (2023). Chemosphere. -Akbulut, S., et al. (2024). Foods. -Patra, B., et al. (2024). Microplastics from disposable cups.

Over the past months, I’ve been spending time working on #microplastics, and one thing that has genuinely surprised me is how much complexity sits behind a topic that is often discussed in very simple terms. Before getting into the field, I mostly framed microplastics the way many people probably do: small plastic particles, widespread exposure, and potential concern for health and the environment. But once you start looking closer, an entirely different layer appears. Questions that seem straightforward at first - what exactly is being measured, how particles are classified, how weathering changes their surface and behavior, or how different analytical methods capture different parts of the picture - quickly reveal how much complex chemistry lies underneath. I’m still only at the beginning of this area, but that is exactly what makes it so interesting to me. The more I read and work on it, the more I realize how much there is still to understand. I’ll probably share a few more thoughts as I continue exploring this field.