Figure reproduced with permission from
J. Jeschke, Wonderland reimagined – how functional upcycling unlocks the door to value-added materials, in S. A. Matlin, F. Rosei, P. Lambin and L. Jin (eds.), From waste to wealth : how chemical sciences can sustainably transform waste into valuable products. Regional winners and finalist essays in the IOCD Essay Competition, Young Voices in the Chemical Sciences for Sustainability 2025, International Organization for Chemical Sciences in Development, Namur, October 2025, pp 65-68, available from : https://www.iocd.org/v3_site/PdfFiles/2025FinalistsCompendium.pdf.
Janna Jeschke, Ph.D. student at the Institut de Science des Matériaux de Mulhouse (IS2M), Université de Haute-Alsace, has been selected as a Finalist in the 2025 International Organization for Chemical Sciences in Development (IOCD) Essay Competition – Young Voices in the Chemical Sciences for Sustainability.
The 2025 competition invited young scientists worldwide to explore the theme “From waste to wealth : how chemical sciences can sustainably transform waste into valuable products.” Janna’s essay, entitled “Wonderland Reimagined – How Functional Upcycling Unlocks the Door to Value-Added Materials,” draws inspiration from Alice in Wonderland to explore how functional upcycling can transform plastic waste into high-value materials while reducing environmental impact.
Her work emphasizes the role of surface chemistry and Post-Polymerization Modification in converting so-called “unrecyclable” plastics, such as waste tire rubber, into multifunctional adsorbents and advanced materials for sustainable applications. The essay also connects these innovations to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting how chemical innovation intersects with health, equality, and environmental protection.
Janna’s essay appears in the IOCD 2025 Compendium, which features essays from 36 global finalists and seven regional winners :
S. A. Matlin, F. Rosei, P. Lambin and L. Jin (eds.), From waste to wealth : how chemical sciences can sustainably transform waste into valuable products. Regional winners and finalist essays in the IOCD Essay Competition, Young Voices in the Chemical Sciences for Sustainability 2025, International Organization for Chemical Sciences in Development, Namur, October 2025, available from : https://www.iocd.org/v3_site/Essay/competition2025.html