Thomais Tiriakidou

Thomais Tiriakidou

Personal Information

  1. Name: Thomais Tiriakidou
  2. Position/Title: Research project manager in B&T Composites
  3. Department:

Professional Background

  1. Briefly describe your professional background and area of expertise:

    I am a Mechanical Engineer (M.Sc., EMBA) with extensive experience in composite materials and research project management. As a Board Member at B&T Composites and co-founder of Componous, I have successfully led and participated in multiple European and national R&D projects, securing funding and managing innovation-driven initiatives. My expertise includes risk management, negotiation strategies, and industrial process optimization, with a strong focus on hydrogen value chains. Additionally, I hold three industrial patents and have co-authored multiple scientific publications in advanced materials and photonics.

  2. What inspired you to pursue a career in this related field, e.g., composite materials recycling?:

    My inspiration to pursue a career in composite materials stems from my passion for engineering innovation and sustainability. During my professional journey, I recognized the transformative potential of composite materials in industries like aerospace and renewable energy. As a member of B&T Composites, I became deeply involved in research and development, focusing on enhancing material efficiency, durability, and performance. As the demand for sustainable solutions in advanced materials grew, I was drawn to composite recycling and circular economy strategies. The challenge of creating eco-friendly alternatives while maintaining high-performance standards in composites fascinated me. This led me to actively participate in European research initiatives focused on recyclability, reusability, and innovative processing methods. My goal is to contribute to the sustainable evolution of composite materials, ensuring they align with future environmental and industrial needs.

The challenge of creating eco-friendly alternatives while maintaining high-performance standards in composites fascinated me

Role in EURECOMP

  1. What is your role in the EURECOMP project?:

    In the EURECOMP project, I play a key role in project coordination, financial assessments, and manufacturing activities, ensuring smooth execution and alignment with the project's goals in composite materials recycling.

  2. Can you describe your main responsibilities and tasks?

    In the EURECOMP project, I am leading key activities and actively participating in all project meetings. My role includes overseeing the financial assessments, contributing to the manufacturing of the filament winding demonstration in WP5, and ensuring smooth coordination between technical and managerial aspects. I work closely with all the partners, especially of those of WP4, to drive innovation in composite materials recycling and support the project's overall success.

  3. How does your work contribute to the overall goals of the EURECOMP project?:

    The use of carbon fibers recovered through solvolysis, if industrialized, will accelerate progress toward the project's sustainability targets.

Project Insights

  1. What do you find most exciting about working on the EURECOMP project?:

    What excites me most about the EURECOMP project is the seamless collaboration between companies, universities, and research centers, all working towards the development of new materials that will accelerate the transition to a circular economy

  2. What has been the most challenging aspect of your work on this project?

    The most challenging aspect has been aligning the manufacturing constraints of the filament winding process with the requirements of the solvolysis partners, ensuring both feasibility and efficiency in the recycling approach.

  3. Can you share a significant milestone or achievement your team has reached so far?

    We are almost ready to finalize the first filament winding demonstrator using carbon fibers recovered through solvolysis and subjected to special treatment, marking a key milestone in the project's progress.

We are almost ready to finalize the first filament winding demonstrator using carbon fibers recovered through solvolysis and subjected to special treatment.

Personal Experience

  1. What have you learned during your time working on EURECOMP?:

    Through my work on EURECOMP, I have gained deeper insights into sustainable solutions for composite materials, as well as a broader understanding of the critical factors and challenges in product development

  2. How has this project influenced your professional development?:

    The EURECOMP project has enhanced my expertise in sustainable composite materials, strengthened my skills in cross-sector collaboration, and deepened my understanding of the industrial challenges in recycling and product development.

What excites me most about the EURECOMP project is the seamless collaboration between companies, universities, and research centers, all working towards the development of new materials that will accelerate the transition to a circular economy.

Fun Facts

  1. What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

    In my free time, I enjoy baking dough-based recipes, learning Japanese, and browsing flights and hotels to destinations I might not visit anytime soon—just in case! 😉

  2. Share a fun fact about yourself that your colleagues might not know:

    A fun fact about me is that I hold a WSET Level 1 certification in wines, which has deepened my appreciation for wine tasting and pairing!

Closing Thoughts

  1. Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience with the EURECOMP project?:

    Being part of the EURECOMP project has been an incredible experience, and it’s always a pleasure to work with such a great consortium!