64204 2025 eng lecture 0 -- -- -- Sustainability (environmental conservation for the economic welfare and prosperity for all) would revolutionise the plastics industry were it to become predominant practice as a linear, fossil-fuel–based economy is switched to a carbon circular one. Hence, the innovative field of flame-retardant polymeric materials should lend its strength to drive this challenge. Visionary solutions are proposed to inspire us, while the implementation of economically feasible concepts take us forward into the future. A critical overview of current trends is presented, using examples from the literature and our own recent projects. The examples lead from the use of natural materials with some intrinsic flame retardancy, via biocomposites, to using renewable sources for flame retardants. Natural flame retardants and adjuvants are highlighted, motivating our vision. Some of the visionary approaches such as flame-retardant poly(limonene carbonate) or wastewater phosphorus enriched micro algae as a sustainable flame retardant are rather innovative. Further, natural material streams find their way into polymer mass production as fillers, adjuvants, or renewable educt sources; industrial waste streams open the door to sustainable solutions, because they avoid competition for land with farming or virgin forests. Remarks will address recycling, flame retardant vitrimers are potential materials for recyclable thermosets. Only convincing property profiles will prevail both for exploiting renewable sources and circular design; sustainability must not be merely tolerated as an additional demand but should instead be recognized as a solution ensuring our economic welfare now and in the future. Acknowledgement: Funding: BMBF WTZ 01DN16040, DFG Scha 730/19 u. 20, VW-Stiftung: Experiment 97437, BMBF KMU Innovativ 031B1289B. People: A Battig, R Bhatia, J Chacon Castro, M Dudziak, SF Falkenhagen, FR Gleuwitz, a.o. (BAM) and G Sánchez Olivares (CIATEC), R Dey (Constructor University), A Greiner (Bayreuth), a.o. 19th Bayreuth Polymer Symposium Bayreuth, Germany 21.09.2025 23.09.2025 1 publish false true Bernhard Schartel eng uncontrolled Poly(limonene carbonate) eng uncontrolled Flame retardant biocomposites eng uncontrolled Wastewater phosphorus enriched micro algae eng uncontrolled Non-vegan flame retardant eng uncontrolled Flame retardant vitrimers eng uncontrolled Bio-based flame retardant Ingenieurwissenschaften und zugeordnete Tätigkeiten 7 Bauwerkssicherheit 7.5 Technische Eigenschaften von Polymerwerkstoffen Infrastruktur Fire Science Umwelt Circular Economy Datei im Netzwerk der BAM verfügbar ("Closed Access") Präsentation