State-of-the-Art Polymer Science and Technology in Canada

Dear Colleagues,

Research and development activities related to plastics have seen unprecedented growth throughout the world over the last century. The entire spectrum of activities includes the production (polymerization), processing (additive manufacturing, blowing, casting, electrospinning, extrusion, injection molding, rotomolding, etc.) and characterization (chemical, electrical, mechanical, morphological, physical, rheological, thermal, etc.) of different resins and structures. However, research and development, in both experimental and theoretical areas, must be combined to achieve successful large-scale (industrial) production and reach commercial success. Furthermore, in recent years the widespread environmental concerns related to plastics production and disposal have shifted public policy and consumer attitudes, which resulted in a shift in activities towards more sustainable products and technologies. 

The research and development landscape is especially strong in Canada which always had, and continues to develop, a strong industrial component in the general field of polymers including biobased macromolecules (extraction and modification), complex structures (blends, composites, foams, multi-layers, hybrid systems), characterization and modeling (equipment, methods, software, tools,) and recycling (thermoplastics, thermosets, elastomers, etc.). 

Based on 2021 statistics, the Canadian plastics sectors includes over 1750 establishments directly involved in the production of different plastics products, while over 750 companies are indirectly involved [1]. Globally, the industry generates USD 2.1 Bn in net revenues with USD 26 Bn in total shipments. So, this industry is highly important for the country. 

A long tradition of important results has its origin from investigations carried out in Canada alone or in collaboration with other countries. One example is the famous Bagley correction for the analysis of rheological data obtained from capillary rheometry [2]. This method is still used today and represents an important contribution from the industrial sector since all the work was done inside a company (ICI Chemicals). Another example is the studies performed by the group of Prof. Musa Kamal on polymer crystallization kinetics and injection molding leading to the predictions of morphological structures and transition temperatures [3]. These pioneering works are still the basis for new development all around the world and several more important results can be found in the scientific literature. 

On the industrial side, two important companies were originally involved in the polymer business in Canada. The Polymer Corporation Ltd. was founded in 1942 to help in the war effort by producing synthetic rubber-based materials [4,5]. This institution led to major developments in organic and polymer chemistry leading to the Polysar corporation [6]. The other main area was associated with the Xerox research center working on different types of polymerization reactions [7]. These results led to several opportunities in industrial chemistry, especially radical polymerization. A more specific overview on the history of the Canadian plastics industrial sector can be found in the book of R. Zarboni (Canadian Plastics Pioneers 1950-2000) [8]. Today, Nova Chemicals is at the forefront of technological development in the production of polymer resins (mainly polyolefins) [9].

In this Special Issue, we gathered innovative current developments from the most prominent investigators working in Canada. The subjects are very wide and include most of the aspects of polymers/plastics in today’s applications.

We hope that you will enjoy reading this Special Issue that we have put together. 

Prof. Dr. Denis Rodrigue
Prof. Dr. Marie-Claude Heuzey
Prof. Dr. Marianna Kontopoulou
Prof. Dr. Nicole Demarquette
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Polymers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• plastics polymerization
• polymer processing
• polymer characterization
• polymer resins and structures
• modeling
• recycling