During the 41st International Conference of the Polymer Processing Society (PPS-41), held in Paestum, Salerno, Italy, from 31 May to 4 June 2026, Professor Annamaria Visco, scientific coordinator of the LIFE RESTART project for the University of Messina (UNIME), and Engineer Salim Brahimi, PhD student at UNIME and LIFE RESTART fellow, presented the latest UNIME-specific research results on the recycling of pots and pellets developed within the project.

With 825 participants from all over the world, PPS-41 provided an exceptional platform for scientific exchange and for the dissemination of the results of the LIFE RESTART project in the field of polymer processing and recycling. The conference placed strong emphasis on sustainability, with a double session entirely dedicated to this topic and particular attention given to bio-based materials, polymer recycling, and the circular economy.

The following figures give an idea of the global scale of the event, which involved all continents — Europe, Asia, North America, South America, Oceania, and Africa: 10 parallel sessions, including 2 on sustainability; 825 participants; 329 students; 7 plenary speakers; 96 keynote lectures; 431 oral presentations; and 280 posters.

Professor Visco delivered a keynote lecture entitled “Effect of Reprocessing on the Thermal, Rheological, Mechanical and Surface Properties of Polybutylene Succinate-Based Biocomposites,” presenting to the audience the pots recently produced by the partner Giardineria Italiana. The audience was impressed by the scope and scientific results achieved by UNIME within the project, as well as by the creation of Fabbrica Zero, the first facility of its kind in Sicily, located in Roccavaldina, in the province of Messina.

Engineer Brahimi presented a poster entitled “Assessment of the Recycling Performance of Neat Poly(butylene succinate) and Its Composites with Agro-Industrial By-Products,” showing interested participants the remaining prototypes produced during the LIFE RESTART project.