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Research Trends in Organic Coatings & Polyolefins Industry

M. Ahsan Bashir
04-02-2020
UET, Lahore
Contents
 About myself
 What can you do as an Engineer/Student
 Research Trends in Polyolefins
 Higher Education Possibilities in Europe
 Conclusions
About Myself
- Education & Work Experience

 2010-2012
 Research Associate
 M.Sc Process Systems Engg
 B.Sc Polymer Engineering (2004
– 2008)

 (5-2008 – 5-2008)
 Internee
 Shift Manager
 2012-2017
 PhD + Post Doctorate
About Myself
- Education & Work Experience Abroad

 2011 - 2012
 Polyolefins catalysis and process research
 2018 - Present
 Marine Paints related research
 Epoxy-Amine Primers related product
development
 New polymers, additives, extenders in epoxy
primers

 2017 - 2018
 Polyolefins catalysis and process research
 Plastic waste to oil and monomer recovery
What Can You Do as an Engineer/Student?

 Identify your interest(s)

 Process Modelling
 Heat & Mass Transfer, Reaction Kinetics, Process Thermodynamics, CFD
 Catalyst Synthesis
 Polyolefins Catalysis, Catalysts for Plastic Pyrolysis, Catalysts for other Polymers
Polymer Processing
Extrusion and Injection Molding processes, Other Processing Technologies
 Compounding & Formulation
 Paints (Formulation), Other Polymeric Articles (Compounding)
 Polymer Characterization
 Polymer characterization, Product testing
What Can You Do as an Engineer/Student?

Focus on your interest(s)

 Get grip on basic knowledge
 Learn Numerical Methods, Solution of Reactor Models, Thermodynamic Models, Solution of Coupled Heat &
Mass Transfer Problems, Solution of ODEs, PDEs
 Learn Computer Languages (C++, MATLAB, Python etc.)
 Learn Polymer and/or Catalyst Synthesis, Laboratory & Commercial Production Techniques
 Get grip on basic skills
 Implement Numerical Methods using Coding language, Implement Solution of Reactor Models,
Thermodynamic Models, Coupled Heat & Mass Transfer Problems using Coding language.
 Conduct Laboratory Experiments (polymer and/or catalyst)
 Interpret and Conclude from your work
 Report writing
What Can You Do as an Engineer/Student?

Lock & Shoot

Search & make a list of industries, research centers & universities.
Apply regularly in:
 Industry
 Engineering jobs
 Research oriented jobs
 Research Centers
 Lecturer
 Research oriented jobs
 Universities
 Master’s programs, Scholarships
Shoot with a right gun i.e., Your Cover Letter & CV must reflect your ‘true’ knowledge &
skills.
What Can You Do as an Engineer/Student?

So, as an Engineer you need to:

 Learn knowledge based on your interest
 Learn skills needed to use your knowledge
 Keep on trying

&
Organic Coating and Research Trends in Organic Coatings

Organic Coatings Polymer cured with e.g.,

1K moisture

Polymer+Curing
2K Agent+Other components
Organic Coating and Research Trends in Organic Coatings

Typical components in the formulation of a two component (2K) organic coating

Rheology Control
Polymers/Binders Curing Agents Solvent Extenders Pigments
Agent

Final properties of organic coatings depend upon formulation.

1. Type and content of binder/polymer
2. Type and content of curing agents
3. Type and content of solvents
4. Type and content of extenders
5. Type and content of rheology control agent
6. Type and content of pigments
Organic Coating and Research Trends in Organic Coatings

Research Trends
Fast curing
Low temperature curing
Fast overcoatability
Improved mechanical properties
Improved long term properties (e.g., reduced aging)
Polyolefins & Trends in Polyolefins Related Research

Polyolefins

Polyethylene Polypropylene

HDPE, LDPE, LLDPE, VLLDPE i-PP, ICP

Various production processes Mainly gas phase processes

Polyolefins & Trends in Polyolefins Related Research

Polyolefins

PE, PP

Catalyst development

Process development

Catalyst & process

efficiency enhancement

Product property
enhancement
Polyolefins & Trends in Polyolefins Related Research
- Some Examples

Silica Heat Treatment Effect Polymerization Protocol Effect

3500 600 °C 450 °C 200 °C
3000
2500
(g.gcat-1.h-1)

2000
Activity

1500
1000
500
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Time (Minutes)
1500 Catalyst Particle Size Effect 1500 Catalyst Particle Size Effect
(g.gcat-1.h-1)
Activity

1200 o = Pan Fraction 1200

o = 36 µm Sieve 900

(g.gcat-1.h-1)
900
o = 63 µm Sieve
o = 80 µm Sieve

Activity
600 600
o = Full Silica
300 300

0 0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Time (Minutes) Time (Minutes)
Polyolefins & Trends in Polyolefins Related Research
- Some Examples
Impregnation Temperature = 50 °C
63µm- 1h 63µm- 3h

Same pore structure

Pore Diameter (nm)

63µm- 6h

Impregnation Time (h)

 Polyolefins & Trends in Polyolefins Related Research
- Some Examples

Process modelling
research highly
recommended in
Pakistan.

Ahsan Bashir et al., Macro. Chem. Phys., 2015, pp 2129-2140 16

 Higher Education Possibilities in Europe

• Free Education
– Norway
• https://www.studyinnorway.no/
– Estonia
• Very low fees
– France
• (https://www.campusfrance.org/en)
– Germany
• https://www2.daad.de/deutschland/studienangebote/inter
national-programmes/en/

• Fees with Scholarships

– Finland
• https://www.studyinfinland.fi/
– Sweden
• https://studyinsweden.se/ PhD is normally
fully funded i.e.,
you get a
handsome salary
per month.
17
 Conclusions

 Identify your interests and enhance

your skills to help you make your
dreams a reality.
 Many possibilities ahead.
 Within Pakistan there are infinite
possibilities.
 Research & Development is the only Most innovative countries of the world
way forward to become a great
nation of the world.

https://www.wipo.int/pressroom/en/articles/2019/article_0008.html
 Thank You
&
Questions Please…