Adrià Roig Gibert
Postdoctoral Researcher at Ghent University in Belgium, Winner of the Adhesive Innovation Award 2025
Adrià Roig Gibert is currently a Postdoctoral Researcher at Ghent University in Belgium, where he is working on the projects Redesigning Polyethylene for Chemical Recycling and Upcycling and the Development of Covalent Adaptable Networks for High Performance Applications. He holds a PhD in Chemical Science and Technology and is actively engaged in the field of polymer science, with a particular focus on functional applications.
His research explores the use of dynamic chemistries to develop the next generation of chemically recyclable, reprocessable, and functional materials. These materials are designed for a wide range of applications, including adhesives, composites, self-healing coatings, and 3D-printable systems.
In 2025, Adrià was awarded the Adhesive Innovation Award for his groundbreaking research titled Structural Reversible Adhesives: Towards High Adhesion and Enhanced Circularity, which highlights his contributions to advancing sustainable and high-performance adhesive technologies.
Structural Reversible Adhesives: Towards High Adhesion and Enhanced Circularity
This presentation introduces a new class of structural adhesives based on covalent adaptable networks (CANs), offering a breakthrough in recyclability and performance. Developed from vanillin-derived imine chemistry, these adhesives combine the mechanical strength of thermosets with the reprocessability of thermoplastics. By adjusting monomer ratios, properties such as glass transition temperature, viscoelasticity, and tensile strength can be finely tuned. The adhesives demonstrate high lap-shear strength (up to 12.4 MPa), excellent reusability, and efficient substrate recovery under mild acidic conditions. These innovations address key challenges in the adhesive industry—particularly waste reduction, substrate recovery, and circularity—aligning with EU sustainability goals. The work paves the way for next-generation structural adhesives that are both high-performing and environmentally responsible.
Breakout II – Research & Development – 11 September 2025 – 14:00 – 14:30 – Room 1