Kim Ragaert, a polymer materials scientist by background, is an associate professor in circular plastics at Ghent University. She leads a multidisciplinary research team of around 15 researchers, working to develop the necessary scientific tools to enable the improved mechanical recycling of plastics. Specific research topics include the quality modeling of (contaminated) recycled plastics, upcycling of mixed solid plastic waste, polymer degradation and multiple recycling, design for recyclability, design from recycling, WEEE plastics, and recycling of multilayer packaging materials. She leads and participates in several (inter)national recycling projects, alongside a variety of industrial partners, policy makers, and other academia.