University of Waterloo
Engineering 6 (E6)
Phone: 519-888-4567
Staff and Faculty Directory
Contact the Department of Chemical Engineering
Costas Tzoganakis is a Chemical Engineering Professor at the University of Waterloo.
He specializes in polymer engineering and is working on multiple research projects that include polymer reactive extrusion, rubber devulcanization using supercritical carbon dioxide, plastics and rubber nano-composites, sustainable bio-based polymers and coatings, inferential sensors for polymer compounding, and modification of polyolefins through reactive extrusion.
Professor Tzoganakis and his research team successfully developed a reactive extrusion technology on the melt-phase hydrosilylation of polypropylene. This technology facilitates the modification of polypropylene for increased adhesion, chemical reactivity and hydrophilicity, and is beneficial to manufacturers of engineered plastics and elastomers. Milliken, a worldwide manufacturer of specialty additives, has recognized the market opportunity to incorporate this technology in their line of products, and was able to secure a license for the technology.
Another significant contribution of Professor Tzoganakis is in the area of rubber devulcanization using supercritical carbon dioxide. His efforts have led to the development of a green technology that converts scrap tire rubber into a tire-derived polymer that can be used as a feed stock for new tire manufacturing, automotive seals and other elastomeric high value products. In addition to his teaching and research duties, Professor Tzoganakis serves as Chief Technology Officer of Tyromer Inc., a University of Waterloo start-up company that is working to commercialize a patented technology on rubber devulcanization.
In recognition of his research contributions, Professor Tzoganakis has received the following prestigious awards: (i) Syncrude Canada Innovation Award from the Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering (CSChE) in 2000, (ii) Heinz List Award from the Extrusion Division of the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) in 2015, (iii) Heinz Hermann Award from the Extrusion Division of the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) in 2018, and (iv) James L. White Innovation Award from the Polymer processing Society (PPS) in 2018. Professor Tzoganakis is a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Canada (CIC) and a Fellow of the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE).
University of Waterloo
Engineering 6 (E6)
Phone: 519-888-4567
Staff and Faculty Directory
Contact the Department of Chemical Engineering
The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is centralized within our Office of Indigenous Relations.