On January 16, 2017, AkzoNobel announced the launch of Imagine Chemistry, which provides start-up firms, students, research groups, and career scientists an opportunity to collaborate with AkzoNobel experts to solve real-life chemistry-related challenges.  Imagine Chemistry will focus on addressing issues within five topic areas:

■Revolutionizing plastics recycling; 

■Wastewater-free chemical sites; 

■Cellulose-based alternatives to synthetics; 

■Biobased and biodegradable surfactants and thickeners; and 

■Biobased sources of ethylene.

There are also “open challenges” for broad ideas related to highly reactive chemistry and technology, and sustainable alternatives to current technologies.Challenges should be business-driven and aim to be commercial within three to five years.AkzoNobel will provide winners access to customers, investors, subject matter experts, mentorship, and an accelerator program, along with additional support.  Participants can submit ideas and solutions through the online challenge platform.