Founded in 1950, Carpenter Co. is the world’s largest vertically integrated manufacturer of polyurethane foams. Carpenter also serves a diversified global marketplace with polyurethane chemical solutions, polyester fibers, and insulation materials through a network of more than 70 production locations. Our 6,500+ employees across the globe seek to provide the most innovative products and solutions with a focus on enhancing the quality of people’s lives while being a good steward of our resources. At Carpenter, you'll find a rewarding career in a stable company, diverse experiences and an unwavering commitment to ethics and integrity. As part of our team, you'll collaborate with talented and dedicated colleagues whose sense of purpose complements your own.

R&D Engineer Sustainable Innovation

• Wetteren
• As soon as possible
• Full-time
• permanent contract

Introduction

As part of our ongoing commitment to environmental responsibility and technological advancement, we are seeking a skilled and highly motivated individual to join our Research and Development team as an R&D Engineer Sustainable Innovation, with a strong focus on sustainable polyurethane foam development and material innovation.

Your Tasks:

Sustainability Assessment & Strategy

• Conduct life cycle assessments (LCA), carbon footprint and sustainability index calculations.
• Monitor sustainability, ESG and regulatory developments relevant to the chemical and polyurethane industry.
• Contribute to and support the implementation of the Carpenter EU sustainability strategy in collaboration with internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Translate sustainability metrics into concrete improvement recommendations, considering the 3 P’s (People, Planet, Profit).

Sustainable Polyurethane Foam Innovation & Business Support

• Actively explore and develop solutions to improve the sustainability profile of polyurethane foams, including raw‑material choices, formulations and processing routes.
• Evaluate trade‑offs between performance, sustainability impact, feasibility and cost in foam reformulation projects.
• Support the business with day‑to‑day sustainability questions related to products, materials, processes and customer inquiries.
• Translate customer, regulatory and ESG sustainability requirements into practical R&D and product development actions.

Research & Development:

• Conduct and coordinate research activities related to polyurethane foam development, including formulation optimization, performance testing, and scale‑up support Cooperate in research initiatives to explore and develop new sustainable materials, processes, and technologies.
• As project manager, lead innovation projects, ensuring timelines and deliverables are met.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams and external collaborators to achieve project goals.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to identify opportunities for sustainable innovation in product development.

Your Profile

• Engineer or Master's degree in a relevant field such as Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Science, Sustainability, or related discipline or equivalent by experience
• Good project management, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of sustainable practices, life cycle assessments, and ESG regulations is a plus.
• Experience in R&D with a focus on sustainable innovation within the chemical industry is a plus.
• Experience with polyurethane chemistry or polymer materials is a strong plus
• Team player
• Willing to travel occasionally
• Fluent in English, both spoken and written

We Offer:

Interested?

Carpenter Engineered Foams Belgium BV
Damstraat • 9230 Wetteren

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