Master Thesis within the area of Engineered Polymers (Improve Expancel Pickering emulsion)

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.

Description

Background
Expancel® Thermo expandable microspheres is a fantastic innovation from the 1980’ies, developed and commercialised in Sundsvall, Sweden. It is essentially an inflatable micro balloon, used as a blowing agent and light weight filler in various formulations, such as wine stoppers, shoe soles, automotive parts and packaging materials.

The Nouryon Expancel business, being the market leader in the field of thermoexpandable microspheres, has already made many innovations in the context of improving sustainability in the final formulations, and will continue to explore the possibilities in the foreseeable future.

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.

This project aims to further improve the formulations of selected Expancel grades by fundamental and applied studies of the system to make the microspheres.

About the Thesis work

This degree project aims to study the Pickering emulsions characteristics stabilized by SiO₂ for Expancel manufacture. For this purpose, various types of colloidal silica will be used to stabilise the Pickering emulsion systems. The study will address key investigations such as the flocculation as well as emulsion properties including stability.

Samples with promising results will be conducted in a set-up to perform small scale polymerizations. The emulsion systems including droplet sizes and the stability will be evaluated using microscopic analysis, and synthesized product will be characterized with analytical methods such as thermomechanical tests, light scattering measurements for particle size assessment, chromatography, TGA, FTIR.

• Literature study
• Experimental studies: synthesis 
• Characterization
• Reporting

Location: The project will be 20 weeks and carried out at the Expancel R&D facilities of Nouryon in Sundsvall. An industrial supervisor will be provided from one of our scientists.
Preferred time period: Spring 2026 (~20 weeks)

Great if you have

• An educational background in chemistry, material science, or similar discipline
• Knowledge of polymer-based composite behaviour and characterization
• Familiarity with colloidal chemistry principles
• Communication skills in English
• Previous experience in working in chemistry labs is highly meriting
  
  

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 their projects:

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.

To receive compensation, the following steps must be fulfilled:

• Insurance: If you are studying at a foreign institution, confirm that you are insured through your university or college.
• Thesis included in Your Education: The thesis must be an integral part of your academic program to qualify for compensation.
• Coordination Number: Obtain a coordination number from the Swedish Tax Agency to receive payment. Payments can only be made to Swedish bank accounts.
  
  

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:
Anna Larsson Kron or Bo Andreasson at Expancel R&D team anna.kron@nouryon.com or bo.andreasson@nouryon.com / nader.nikkam@nouryon.com

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