Dan Åkesson
Docent Professor
Faculty of Textiles, Engineering and Business (including The Swedish School of Textiles)
— Department of Resource Recovery and Building Technology
I work as a Professor of Polymer Technology. My research centres on plastics – materials that play a crucial role in modern society while simultaneously posing significant environmental challenges. My work focuses on improving plastic recycling and on developing bio-based plastics, composites and fibres that contribute to more sustainable material use. My research encompasses several areas:
Bio-based plastics – I work on developing and studying bioplastics, particularly microbial bioplastics such as PHA. This includes exploring how bioplastics can be produced sustainably, how their biodegradation proceeds, and how their technical properties can be optimised. The aim is to develop materials capable of replacing traditional fossil-based plastics.
Plastic recycling – Only a small fraction of all plastics produced globally has been recycled, making the development of effective recycling methods essential for a circular economy. I conduct research on both mechanical and chemical recycling, and I have investigated in several projects how the quality and functionality of plastics can be preserved or restored through improved processes.
Melt-spinning of bio-based plastics – The textile industry faces major environmental challenges, not least because a large share of today’s fibres are based on fossil-derived polyester. I work on developing fibres from bio-based polymers and study how these materials can be melt-spun. This involves both process optimisation and material development, with the aim of creating sustainable alternatives to conventional synthetic fibres.
Bio-based composites – I develop composites based on biopolymers or recycled plastics in combination with natural fibres. A particular focus lies on developing bio-based thermoset resins as matrix materials, enabling strong and durable composites with significantly lower environmental impact than current fossil-based alternatives.
In addition to my research, I place great value on teaching and am responsible for courses at both undergraduate and Master’s level in chemistry and polymer technology. I am committed to demonstrating how chemistry and materials science can contribute to a more sustainable future.
Please feel free to contact me if you have questions regarding plastics, composites, fibres, recycling, or other material and sustainability related topics.
Assistant Supervisor for the following doctoral students
Researcher's publications in DiVA (Digitala Vetenskapliga Arkivet)
Doctoral thesis title
Renewable composites prepared from biobased thermoset resins
