UKRI EPSRC CDT EngD Scholarship: Paint Recycling for End-Of-Life Construction Cladding (RS254)

Academic Supervisors: Primary: Prof Matthew Davies  Secondary: Prof Geraint Williams

Industry Supervisor: Dr James Smith and Dr Susana Hult Torron

Aligned programme of study: EngD in Materials, Modelling and Manufacturing

Mode of study: Full-time

Expected Interview Date: March-April 2023

Dating back over 150 years, Beckers is a true pioneer in providing unique, high-quality solutions that answer coating needs across many sectors. Currently Beckers is proud to be the global leader in supply of coil coatings from 24 locations in 18 countries. With 20% of our personnel worldwide working in laboratories, 4% of our sales spent on R&D and 25% of our coatings being new products created in the last five years, we are proud to be considered an industry innovator and we will continue to explore smart and sustainable solutions.

Research:
One of the main uses of Coil Coatings is on exterior façade panels used in building construction. Coatings are applied to continuous, wide metal strip and then thermally treated so as to induce gelation or crosslinking. Chemistries used include Polyester/Melamine, Polyurethane, PVdF & PVC plastisol amongst others. Currently, as cladding is removed from buildings at the end of life the metal is recycled via melting and then re-casting. During this process the coil coating is incinerated from the metal and so is lost. Currently, a significant part of the carbon footprint of a coated metal panel is the emissions related to the production of the raw materials used to make the coating. Therefore, if a route to recover those raw materials was to be developed, this would yield a significant reduction in the total carbon footprint of the coil coating.

Project Aims:
The specific focus of the doctorate will be firstly to investigate and develop low-carbon impact methods, chemical or mechanical, that would support the removal of the end-of-life coating from the substrate. Secondly, to develop a route to extract the constituent parts that can be reused in future Coil Coatings. This process would be carried out before the metal is then recycled.

Eligibility

Candidates must normally hold at minimum (or expect to obtain by the start date) an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level (or Non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University), or a combination of degree and equivalent experience to the same level. See ‘country specific information for European and international applicants (available at the bottom of the page)' . 

Studentships for October 2023 entry are open to candidates of any nationality; however, please note:

International students (including EU countries) can apply, but due to UKRI funding rules, no more than 30% of the Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Functional Industrial Coatings projects can be allocated to international students. Once the cap is reached, studentships will only be open to applicants eligible for tuition fees at the UK rate, as defined by UKCISA regulations .

Further details about eligibility, including information about the ‘international cap’ can be found at: Eligibility (identifying if you are a home or international student) – UKRI.

Please visit our website for more information about this scholarship.

Funding

This studentship covers a full award and includes a tax-free stipend (currently £22,000 per annum) and tuition fees, each for a period of four years, subject to meeting University progression requirements. 

Also, a generous budget is available to support training, project costs, industry placements and travel to enable you to network and showcase your research at an international conference.