Polymers for a Safe and Sustainable Future
Polymers 2024 - Polymers for a Safe and Sustainable Future
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Dear colleagues and friends,

We are very proud and honored to announce the international conference Polymers 2024—Polymers for a Safe and Sustainable Future, organized in collaboration with the MDPI open access journal Polymers, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and BIOMAC project, and Exelisis Co. The conference will be held in Athens, Greece, on May 28–31, 2024, at the prestigious War Museumin Athens.

Global mass production of synthetic plastics started in the 1950s, with an estimated total number of 8.3 to 9.1 million metric tons (Mt) already manufactured, evidence that polymers have made an outstanding contribution to the development of modern society in every field. From this amount, it is estimated that only 9% has been recycled and 12% incinerated, whereas the remaining 79% has now accumulated in landfills, rivers, lakes, and the open sea. However, the high stability and non-degradability of synthetic polymers have caused serious environmental issues to living organisms, evident with “Microplastics”, which have been recognized as one of the most threatening contemporary problems. Except for polymers, many of today’s used additives (plasticizers, flame retardants, stabilizers, etc.) exhibit some toxicity and have negative impacts on human health. Due to these concerns, recent research efforts of the polymer scientific community have been focused on producing environmentally friendly, safe, and non-toxic polymers and additives that could be fully recycled or completely degradable shortly after their use. Nevertheless, the substitution of conventional polymers with newly designed polymer systems, which have similar properties to the former, poses a challenge to polymer scientists and manufacturers.

The transition to climate neutrality and zero-pollution ambitions requires new polymers to be produced by employing green chemistry and engineering, sustainable chemistry, and circularity-by-design. For the fabrication of such polymers, several parameters, such as hazard assessment of the used chemicals/monomers, the human health and safety aspects in the chemical/material production and processing phase, the human health and environmental aspects in the final application phase, and finally the environmental sustainability assessment, should all be taken into account.

“Polymers 2024” is an international conference covering the latest progress and innovations in the fields of polymers for the production of new materials and additives for a safe and sustainable world. The conference aims to explore the latest findings in the scientific field of polymers, with a particular emphasis on the synthesis of safe polymers with unique properties for human health and environmental sustainability. Additionally, the goal is to focus on green polymer chemistry and industrial approaches using bioresources to synthesize biobased and biodegradable polymers, in addition to exploring safe and sustainable-by-design polymers using modeling, theory, and simulation and simultaneously investigating their chemical and physical properties for different applications. Clean, green, and efficient production processes will be presented, while life cycle assessments, exposure, risk assessment, decontamination, and environmental remediation will also be discussed. The conference also aims to propose novel techniques for polymer recycling and reuse. Such an event is a unique opportunity for polymer scientists from around the world to present their works, findings, and innovations in polymer chemistry and technology with regard to sustainable development and with great respect to human life and the environment.

The conference follows the previous successful meetings of Polymers 2018—Polymers: Design, Function and Application held in March 2018, Barcelona, Spain, and Polymers 2022: New Trends in Polymer Science: Health of the Planet, Health of the People held in May 2022 in Turin, Italy.

We look forward to welcoming you to Athens!

Prof. Dr. Dimitrios Bikiaris, Prof. Dr. Konstantinos Triantafyllidis, and Dr. Ioanna Deligkiozi

Polymers 2024 Chairs

Follow the conversation on Twitter with #Polymers2024

Sponsored By

Conference Secretariat

Dr. Elena González

Dr. Ana Sanchis

Ms. Carmen Ruiz

Dr. Ioanna Katsavou

Email: polymers2024@mdpi.com

Venue

Athens

Athens is the historic and vibrant capital of Greece, where ancient wonders meet modern delights. Steeped in rich history and mythology, Athens is a city that beckons visitors with its timeless allure.

Explore iconic landmarks such as the majestic Acropolis, where the Parthenon stands proudly, offering breathtaking views of the city. Immerse yourself in the city's ancient past at the National Archaeological Museum, housing a vast collection of artifacts from Greece's ancient civilizations. Stroll through the charming Plaka neighborhood, lined with picturesque streets, traditional tavernas, and quaint shops. Experience the lively atmosphere of Monastiraki Square, bustling with vibrant markets and enticing street food.

For art enthusiasts, the Benaki Museum and the Museum of Cycladic Art showcase magnificent Greek art spanning centuries. Athens also boasts a vibrant contemporary art scene, with numerous galleries and exhibitions.

Indulge in Greek cuisine at the city's renowned restaurants, savoring traditional dishes like moussaka and souvlaki, accompanied by locally produced wines and spirits.

Athens' warm Mediterranean climate offers the perfect backdrop for wandering through the city, from the ancient Agora to the beautifully landscaped National Gardens. As you explore this captivating city, you'll find that Athens seamlessly blends its glorious past with its dynamic present.

The War Museum

We are delighted to host the conference at the prestigious War Museum in Athens. This historic venue offers a unique backdrop that seamlessly combines history, innovation, and knowledge. Located in the heart of Athens, the War Museum provides versatile spaces for presentations, workshops, and networking opportunities. With its central location and easy access to transportation and hotels, it ensures convenience for participants from around the world. Join us in this inspiring setting as we bring together experts and enthusiasts for an event to be remembered.

Address: Rizari 2-4, Athina 106 75, Greece

Access:

3-minute walk from 'Evangelismos' Metro Station (M3/Blue Line);

15-minute walk from 'Syntagma' Metro Station (M2/Red Line and M3/Blue Line);

25-minute walk from 'Monastiraki' Metro Station (M1/Green Line and M3/Blue Line);

The following bus lines have routes that pass near the museum: 203, 211, 235, 550, 608, and 815.

Travel

By Plane:

Athens is easily accessible by air, with the Athens International Airport 'Eleftherios Venizelos' (ATH) serving as the primary gateway to the city. Located just 35 kilometers east of the city center, it offers excellent connectivity to major destinations worldwide. Numerous international airlines operate direct flights to Athens from various cities across the globe, making it convenient for conference attendees to reach the vibrant capital.

Upon arrival at Athens International Airport, attendees can easily access the city center through the following transportation options:

By metro: The airport provides a direct metro connection, with M3 (Blue Line) offering a quick and efficient journey to central Athens. The M3 metro departs towards Nikaia twice an hour. Depending on the location of your hotel, after a 40-minute ride, you can get off at the metro stop 'Syntagma' or metro stop 'Monastiraki'. For the conference venue, get off at the 'Evangelismos' metro stop. A one-way ticket costs EUR 9 and can be purchased at the metro station at the airport. The last metro from the airport leaves around 11:30 pm.

By taxi: Taxis are readily available outside the airport terminals, providing a comfortable and convenient way to reach your accommodation. The ride will take 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the traffic. Taxis heading to the city center operate on a standard fare, which is 35 euros during the daytime (from 5:00 am to midnight) and 49 euros at night. Additional charges may apply. You will find the taxis directly opposite the arrivals hall at Exit 3, but you can also book this transfer in advance. VTC apps that work in Athens are Uber, FREE NOW, Bolt, and Beat, and they might offer cheaper rates.

ACCOMMODATION

We want your stay in Athens during the conference to be as good as possible. With that in mind, we have a suggestion of some hotels to make your accommodation choice easier. However, those hotels are only a suggestion, there's no discount nor pre-book associated to them:

Hotel President: 43 Kifisias Ave. 115 23. 2.3 km away from the conference venue.

Athenaeum Grand Hotel: 142 Andrea Syggrou Ave., Kallithea 3.2 km away from the conference venue.

Niche Hotel Athens: 21 Syngrou Avenue & 2 Vourvachi,11743. 1.9km away from the conference venue.

Zafolia Hotel: 87-89 Alexandras Avenue, 114 74. 2.2km away from the conference venue.

To ensure availability, we encourage you to book your accommodation as soon as possible.

Beware of Unauthorized Registration and Hotel Solicitations

Note that Sciforum is the only official registration platform to register to Polymers 2024 and that we are not associated with any hotel agency (other than those listed above). While other hotel resellers and travel agencies may contact you with offers for your trip, they are not endorsed by or affiliated with Polymers 2024 or Sciforum. Beware that entering into financial agreements with non-endorsed companies can have costly consequences.

Visa Information

Please note that you must apply for your own visa application. MDPI is not responsible for any visa application; however, MDPI can provide a Visa Support Letter. See here for information on obtaining a visa for Greece.