Katja Loos

Professor Katja Loos is a distinguished academic at the University of Groningen, where she serves as Professor of Polymer Science and Applied Chemistry within the Faculty of Science and Engineering. She leads the Macromolecular Chemistry & New Polymeric Materials research group at the Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, focusing on sustainable polymer development and green chemistry solutions. Her research group maintains strong collaborations with NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences and other international institutions.

Loos' research interests center on the synthesis and characterization of novel macromolecules, with particular emphasis on developing sustainable, eco-efficient production methods for polymeric materials. Her work spans enzymatic polymerization techniques, biobased materials, biodegradable plastics, recyclable polymers, and sustainable manufacturing processes. A significant portion of her recent work focuses on creating sustainable alternatives to conventional plastics, including biobased polyesters, starch-based materials, and vitrimer networks with dynamic covalent bonds.

Her recent publications demonstrate a clear trend toward environmentally friendly polymer solutions, with emphasis on biobased feedstocks, recyclable materials, and sustainable manufacturing. The research spans fundamental polymer chemistry to applied technologies including water remediation membranes, wearable electronics, energy storage materials, and 3D printable sustainable polymers. Her group has pioneered work on enzymatic synthesis of furan-based polymers, starch modification for improved properties, and recyclable bioplastic membranes for oil-water separation.

Professor Loos has received numerous prestigious awards recognizing her scientific excellence and contributions to sustainable chemistry:

• IUPAC 2021 Distinguished Women in Chemistry award
• NWO Team Science Award (2022) with the HyBRit research group
• Research Award of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation
• Fellowship for Innovation of Teaching
• Royal Decoration from the University of Groningen

She has successfully secured substantial research funding, including more than EUR 6 million for sustainable plastic development projects. Professor Loos has supervised over 15 PhD students whose work spans enzymatic polymerization, biobased materials, starch modification, and advanced polymer architectures. Her research group, HyBRit, focuses on creating sustainable polymer solutions with closed-loop life cycles, recently developing a recyclable bioplastic membrane that can remove oil from water and be depolymerized for reuse.

The Loos research group operates within the Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, maintaining strong connections with the Green Chemistry Ecosystem of North Netherlands. They collaborate extensively with both academic and industrial partners to translate fundamental polymer science into practical sustainable solutions for real-world environmental challenges.