Dr. Kim Ragaert

Biography

K.J.P. Ragaert is a full professor at Maastricht University in the Faculty of Science and Engineering, holding the key domain chair in Circular Plastics under the Department of Circular Chemical Engineering. He leads a lab and research group located at the Chemelot industrial site in Geleen. The Circular Plastics team focuses on the structure-property-processing relationships of thermoplastics, emphasizing the translation of fundamental research into methods that enhance the quality and quantity of mechanical recycling of plastics. Ragaert is deeply committed to educating the next generation of professionals in circular economies and chairs the educational program committee for the BSc in Circular Engineering at Maastricht University. He believes in the importance of value-chain cooperation and interdisciplinary research, consulting for organizations such as Plastics Recyclers Europe and CEFLEX ECOS, and working closely with industrial partners. In 2020, he was named the European Plastics Recycling Ambassador, underscoring his expertise in the relations between structure, property, processing of thermoplastics, and plastic packaging, as well as mechanical recycling systems and the design for circularity. Ragaert obtained his PhD in polymer processing from Ghent University in 2011, focusing on mechanical recycling of plastics, and before joining Maastricht University, he served as an associate professor at Ghent University, chairing the Plastics Resource pipeline CAPTURE.

Research Interests

Experience