Perform your MSc thesis work (~20 weeks) within the area of Recycled Textile Fibers at Nouryon

Our goal is to create solutions that not only meet today's needs but are also sustainable for the future. By collaborating with us, you contribute to solutions that benefit society and make a difference. With us, you are not just part of a global team but part of a group of changemakers. Your thesis project will give you the chance to influence and leave an impact on our operations and society.

About the Thesis Work

The global textile fiber production is large, approximately 114 million metric tonnes yearly. The textile/fashion industry is responsible for 10% of the global carbon emissions and contribute significantly to environmental problems and landfill accumulation. 

One way to decrease the environmental impact of textile fibers and improve the circularity and sustainability is to increase the recycling of textile waste. Today, less than 1% of the waste is recycled into new textile fibres and out of this meager 1% most is recycling of synthetic fibers. 

Cotton-rich textiles waste are an abundant and underutilized source of material with significant potential for recycling and production of man-made regenerated fibers. However, demands purification from blends with synthetic fibres as well as removal of dyes and finishing chemicals. 

Nouryon's Renewable Fibers business area manufactures hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and sodium chlorate/chlorine dioxide (NaClO3/ClO2). These chemicals are mainly used as bleaching agents in the pulp industry. Today, Nouryon explores the use of these chemicals for decolorization, and purification of cellulose based recycled textile fibers.  

The objective of the project:

To investigate and evaluate whether Nouryon Renewable Fibers' oxidation chemicals, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and chlorine dioxide (ClO2), can be used in the future textile recycling value chain.
 
This includes:

• Literature review and design of experiments
• Determination of pulp/fiber analytical package
• Perform pre-treatments and oxidative decolorization and purification stages using hydrogen peroxide and/or chlorine dioxide under various conditions in lab scale
• Perform dissolution tests using various solvents like NaOH, NaOH in combination with urea or ZnO.
• Reporting and presentation of the results (orally and in writing)

Location: Bohus and Gothenburg, Sweden

Preferred time period: Spring 2025  (~20 weeks)

Great if you have

• background in chemical engineering or equivalent
• skills in report writing and English language
   

We offer you

At Nouryon, we value the contributions of students undertaking their Master’s Thesis with us and offer the following compensation based on the scope of the project:

30 Points Master’s Thesis: For a thesis worth 30 ECTS points, you will receive a payment equivalent to 60% of the current price base amount (prisbasbelopp). This reflects our appreciation for your dedication and effort. Please note that the full compensation is disbursed when the thesis is finished and approved by the institution.

Good to know

Please apply via our online recruitment system with a specific uploaded CV. We take care of your personal data (GDPR), so we do not accept applications via email as these will be ignored. Also, please respond carefully to the selection questions so that we can assist you in the best possible way.

The ad will be posted during the fall and will be removed as soon as we have found the final candidate

We look forward to your application! When it is with us, we will review to see if there is a match between your skills and the opportunities that will arise! We strive to get back to you as soon as possible with an update on the process.

About Nouryon 

We’re looking for tomorrow’s Changemakers, today. 
 
If you’re looking for your next career move, apply today and join Nouryon’s worldwide team of Changemakers in providing essential solutions that our customers use to manufacture everyday products such as personal care, cleaning, paints and coatings, agriculture and food, pharmaceuticals, and building products. Our employees are driven by the wish to make an impact and actively drive positive change. If that describes you, we will gladly make way for your ambitions. 
 
Visit our website and follow us on LinkedIn.  

Contact 

If you have any questions about the process or your application, or need assistance, please contact Recruiting.SE@Nouryon.com.

For questions related to the content of the master thesis work, please contact:
Anette Heijnesson Hultén or Pia Jour, Senior Researchers at Renewable Fibers R&D: 
anette.heijnesson-hulten@nouryon.com or Pia.jour@nouryon.com

#WeAreNouryon #Changemakers