Research team NonOilen®
Synergy and shared enthusiasm helped to create a truly environmentally-friendly bioplastic, named NonOilen®.
Idea, anthusiasm, energy
The idea of introducing a bioplastic material to the market appeared in the academia during the nineties. The key member of the research team, devoted to the idea, was professor Pavol Alexy. As part of his teaching activities, especially during supervising the diploma and dissertation theses at the Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology of the Slovak Technical University in Bratislava, over time he also got his students excited about bioplastics development, who later became team members, project managers and technologists.
The scientific base is provided with the necessary infrastructure by PANARA, managed by Miroslav Galamboš. During the development of NonOilen, both parties achieved an interesting synergy. They joined together for the same goal, which is the creation of an environmentally-friendly, bioplastic material produced without oil. The collaboration works on mutual belief in a project that aims to minimize or eliminate synthetic plastic waste and protect renewable raw materials in a sustainable way.
Research, knowledge, result
NonOilen research is carried out at two locations, at the Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology of the Slovak Technical University in Bratislava (STU) and at the premises of PANARA in Nitra, where the Department of Polymer Processing Technologies of the Institute of Natural and Synthetic Polymers is also located. One of the shareholders of PANARA is ALPLA, a globally significant, internationally active manufacturer of plastic products. The industrial production of NonOilen will take place in Nitra.
Plastics as such are not bad. We just have to learn to deal with them. It is not wise not to use them, because they are useful, but it is also not wise to keep using them, the way we use them in the present. I don’t think plastics will disappear, that wouldn’t be beneficial. However, we will have to find a way, how to use them sensibly. First of all, we need to change our waste treatment. Also, in order to increase the ecological value of plastics, it will be necessary to look for a different raw material base for the production of these materials than oil, just as it is necessary to find suitable alternative energy sources instead of fossil ones.
I think that biodegradable plastics and plastics made from renewable raw materials will be used more and more in the future. And also, wherever possible, products will be designed for multiple use. The optimal disposal of organic waste, which also includes plastics, is composting, and therefore it will be necessary to implement solutions that will enable this.
Prof. Ing. Pavol Alexy, PhD., in “Profesor Alexy: We have to learn to deal with plastics” (www.tlacovespravy.sme.sk)
Research team
Prof. Ing. Pavel Alexy, PhD.
Head of the Department of Plastics, Rubber and Fibers at the Institute of Natural and Synthetic Polymers of the Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology at the Slovak Technical University in Bratislava
- Professor Alexy is the head of the entire NonOilen research and the creator of the basic concept, that is currently being researched by the research team. He has been researching plastics for more than 20 years. He also speaks publicly about the need to change the approach to production and use of traditional plastics in interviews, TV appearances, and podcasts. He also teaches students about plastics manufacturing and processing industry.
Ing. Ján Bočkaj, PhD.
Production director and technologist
Ing. Ivana Bírová, PhD.
Project manager, medical applications research
- Ivana Bírová is in charge of NonOilen´s medical applications research, which is being performed as a part of various medically oriented projects, currently in terms of the CEMBAM project. The goal of the project is research in the field of stem cells and the development of artificial tissues through 3D bioprinting, where NonOilen® will be used as a substrate for 3D printing. She manages the NonOilen® project, mainly in terms of administration and marketing, and is actively involved in the development of new generations of the material.
MUDr. Martina Čulenová, PhD.
Development of medical procedures for tissue engineering
Ing. Jozef Feranc, PhD.
Technological research and development
Ing. Katarína Tomanová, PhD.
Technological research and development
Ing. Roderik Plavec, PhD.
Recycling research
Ing. Leona Omaníková, PhD.
Reactive processing and modification
Ing. Elena Medlenová
Injection molding applications
Ing. Lucia Danišová
Foil applications
Ing. Andrej Baco
Ing. Vojtech Horváth
Ing. Martina Sláviková
We all believe in the project. We can cooperate, find solutions, achieve results.
University research cooperation
Prof. Ing. Ivan Hudec, PhD.
Director of the Institute of Natural and Synthetic Polymers of the Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology at the Slovak Technical University in Bratislava
Prof. Ing. Dušan Bakoš, DrSc., Dr. h. c.
Former Dean of the Institute of Natural and Synthetic Polymers of the Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology at the Slovak Technical University in Bratislava
Ing. Ida Vašková, PhD.
Project manager, medical applications research
Ing. Zuzana Vanovčanová, PhD.
Project manager, medical applications research
PANARA, a.s., board of directors
Ing. Miroslav Galamboš
Chairman of the board
- Miroslav Galamboš is the head of the board of directors at PANARA, a.s. He is responsible for the operational side of the development and production of NonOilen outside the university. He manages projects that help finance the development of the bioplastic material, develops marketing strategy, as well as the participation at foreign conferences and exhibitions, such as the world-famous EXPO exhibition in Dubai. He is exploring other fields of application of this ecological bioplastic in the production market or in medicine.
Prof. Ing. Pavel Alexy, PhD.
Member of the board
Head of the Department of Plastics, Rubber and Fibers at the Institute of Natural and Synthetic Polymers of the Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology at the Slovak Technical University in Bratislava
- Professor Alexy is the head of the entire NonOilen research and the creator of the basic concept, that is currently being researched by the research team. He has been researching plastics for more than 20 years. He also speaks publicly about the need to change the approach to production and use of traditional plastics in interviews, TV appearances, and podcasts. He also teaches students about plastics manufacturing and processing industry.
Dipl.-Ing. Christian Zmölnig
Vice chairman of the board
Our collaboration
We have created an overview of current and past collaborations that can inspire our future customers, or enthusiasts of ecological or bioplastic products.
