Prof Steven De Meester's LCPE group conducts research concerning recycling of plastics, in packaging, WEEE, textile waste, etc. Examples include delamination & de-inking, additive removal, etc. It is a relatively large group >20 researchers, doing technological and systemic research. However, recycling involves a lot of analytics. This concerns volatile components, but also heavier additives (300-1000g/mol), as well as e.g. adhesives such as PU, NC, acrylates, etc. Or impact modifiers, which can be crosslinked/rubber-like polymers. Often there is also degradation of certain components after use. In short, this research requires a lot of chemical analysis: 'What is in the plastic waste?', and afterwards if we develop processes to remove contaminants: 'How efficient are they?'. Hence, the Basic funding would be used for ATP support for the PhD students and post-docs to support them in analytics.