Polymer scientist talks out
By Janus Snyders

Professor Ron Sanderson, one of the 2007/2008 National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) award winners talked about his work in the field of polymer science.

Professor Sanderson received an NSTF award for his outstanding contribution as male researcher for “Research capacity development over the past five to 10 years”. Despite his duties as Divisional Head in the Department of Chemistry and Polymer science and the Director of the UNESCO Associated Centre for Macromolecules and Materials at the University of Stellenbosch, Prof Sanderson’s division was also involved with the recent winter school.“The purpose of the winter school was to introduce 3rd year students to polymer science in general.” Prof Sanderson says more than 23 students who were predominantly black and from various universities, attended the winter school this year.

According to Prof Sanderson, polymer is the solid state of chemistry and includes products such as paint, adhesive, coatings, carpets, clothing, windows, kitchen surfaces and even parts of a microwave. With this wide range of products that can be developed by the science of polymer, Prof Sanderson agrees that this study field allows people to start their own businesses and in fact many of his students are entrepreneurs and doing very well.

 Some opportunities in the polymer science field were also identified during the interview. Prof Sanderson said: “We have large world players [in the polymer industry] and many of these players are involved with licenced technology. One of my claims to fame is to change South African companies to knowledge companies and to get rid of licences“. Prof Sanderson said his vision for South Africa is that companies in the polymer industry should issue licences to polymer products on an international level. An example Prof Sanderson used is one of the paint industries that “use to have 1200 products, but is now down to only 60 or 70 products with a seven year guarantee.  Of these paints one won the best paint award in America three years ago”, Prof Sanderson added.

Professor Sanderson also stressed a gap in changing current technology to modern technology that would be more environmentally friendly. An example is products in the paper industry such as tetra pack that allows fluids like milk and juice to be stored in paper containers, but “you can’t recycle that paper,” Prof Sanderson said. “We have been looking at a ‘green’ coating which is recyclable and we are capable of taking the world by storm with this type of technology”, Prof Sanderson said.

During the interview, Prof Sanderson also elaborated on the nanotechnology and how that could play an integral role in developing and manufacturing more and unique proudly South African polymer based products.

Article approved by: Professor Ron Sanderson