Fábio Loureiro

Fábio holds a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering and is finishing a master's degree in micro and nanotechnologies. With over five years of experience, Fábio specializes in developing solutions through functionalization and material innovation, focusing on industrial sectors, such as automotive. Since January 2022, he has worked as a researcher in the functional materials department at CeNTI – Centre for Nanotechnology and Smart Materials.

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Presentation

Gum rosin derivatives: sustainable raw material for automotive applications

The automotive sector is increasingly adopting eco-friendly solutions, including for injected parts in automotive interiors. As a major environmental contributor, the industry is striving to use greener, sustainable materials while maintaining quality. This aligns with the growing biopolymer market and the use of natural, bio-based and secondary raw materials. A Portuguese consortium has employed gum rosin resin derivatives as compatibilizers for polymer components due to their thermal stability and compatibility with extrusion and injection molding processes. These derivatives are versatile, multifunctional natural raw materials that enhance the performance and bio-content of synthetic and biodegradable polymeric matrices, yielding significant benefits.