Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SSbD4CheM (Safe and Sustainable by Design framework for the next generation of Chemicals and Materials)
Reporting period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-06-30
The development of new chemicals and materials must align with diverse regulatory frameworks and standards that vary across regions and countries, creating significant barriers to establishing a harmonised approach to safe and sustainable design (SSbD). Despite considerable progress in improving access to chemical information through initiatives such as Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), the Information Platform for Chemical Monitoring (IPCHEM), the Life Cycle Data Network, and the European Environment Agency (EEA), substantial data gaps remain. These gaps hinder scientists, risk assessors, and risk managers in making well-informed decisions regarding potential chemical risks to human health and the environment.
The strategic objective of SSbD4CheM is to develop and validate screening and testing methodologies that support the design of safe and sustainable materials, demonstrated across three key industrial sectors: textiles, automotive, and cosmetics. These demonstrators further provide a foundation for broader implementation and future standardisation of the methods.
The strategic objective of SSbD4CheM is to develop and validate screening and testing methodologies that support the design of safe and sustainable materials, demonstrated across three key industrial sectors: textiles, automotive, and cosmetics. These demonstrators further provide a foundation for broader implementation and future standardisation of the methods.
The work carried out in the M1 to M18 period has progressed very well and has centred on the following technical WP activities. Within WP1 the first foundations for a data ecosystem aligned with FAIR principles has been established. It includes a data management plan, integration with external databases, and a user-friendly interface to support SSbD workflows. This task compiles basic data on physical and chemical properties of the pristine material and incorporated in material selected for the project.
The demand on data is first defined by WP2. As physico-chemical properties of SSbD4CheM materials are required as input for the SSbD assessment with predictive material developed (WP2, 5, 6 ,7) within WP3 data template for physico-chemical characterisation of SSbD4CheM (nano-)materials using existing analytical methodologies has been established as an input to WP1, on another new methodologies to close gaps in physico-chemical characterisation and exposure of materials has been started including non-target analysis of materials using mass spectrometry (VOC emissions) and data evaluation schemes, field-flow fractionation with emphasis on light scattering detection to characterise (nano-)particles with high aspect ratios, as well as Imaging based on Focused Ion Beam Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (FIB-SIMS) for high resolution physico-chemical analysis to characterise materials.
WP4 on another side conducted substantional work on the development of a suite of innovative complex models of the major tissue barriers that protect human health, placing them in a systems toxicology context. First results on the skin, lung and gut barriers were addressed together with the alternative model zebrafish embryo.
WP5 is focusing on the potential risk and exposure pathways for occupational, consumer, and environmental setting, as well as on the fate and behaviour of emitted particles/chemicals in the environment.
WP6 main goal is to improve and develop an innovative methodology to assess ex-ante LCA and testing it towards automotive case study. Once when the method is clearly established it will be further implemented in other two case studies.
WP7 acts as a case study implementation wprk package in order to give a prototyping and validation of composites, coatings and nanocellulose according to use case requirements (automotive, textile, cosmetics) with fulfilled sustainability and safety aspects.
Lastly, WP8 is expanding the project’s visibility and community engagement, introducing a cohesive brand identity and website, building a strong presence across social media, and driving stakeholder involvement through workshops and networking events.
The demand on data is first defined by WP2. As physico-chemical properties of SSbD4CheM materials are required as input for the SSbD assessment with predictive material developed (WP2, 5, 6 ,7) within WP3 data template for physico-chemical characterisation of SSbD4CheM (nano-)materials using existing analytical methodologies has been established as an input to WP1, on another new methodologies to close gaps in physico-chemical characterisation and exposure of materials has been started including non-target analysis of materials using mass spectrometry (VOC emissions) and data evaluation schemes, field-flow fractionation with emphasis on light scattering detection to characterise (nano-)particles with high aspect ratios, as well as Imaging based on Focused Ion Beam Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (FIB-SIMS) for high resolution physico-chemical analysis to characterise materials.
WP4 on another side conducted substantional work on the development of a suite of innovative complex models of the major tissue barriers that protect human health, placing them in a systems toxicology context. First results on the skin, lung and gut barriers were addressed together with the alternative model zebrafish embryo.
WP5 is focusing on the potential risk and exposure pathways for occupational, consumer, and environmental setting, as well as on the fate and behaviour of emitted particles/chemicals in the environment.
WP6 main goal is to improve and develop an innovative methodology to assess ex-ante LCA and testing it towards automotive case study. Once when the method is clearly established it will be further implemented in other two case studies.
WP7 acts as a case study implementation wprk package in order to give a prototyping and validation of composites, coatings and nanocellulose according to use case requirements (automotive, textile, cosmetics) with fulfilled sustainability and safety aspects.
Lastly, WP8 is expanding the project’s visibility and community engagement, introducing a cohesive brand identity and website, building a strong presence across social media, and driving stakeholder involvement through workshops and networking events.
SSbD4CheM is currently in M18, and thus the activites are partially completed. By the end of the project, SSbD4CheM expect to have the following KERs:
KER1: Methods for non-targeted analysis, health and environmental safety assessment, risk mitigation plan
KER2: Wood Plastics Composites with optimized VOC emissions and Odour; Bio-based functional coating
KER3: In-vitro models
KER4: Methods related to the prototype FIB-SIMS instrumentation
KER5: New LSCA methodology aligned with SSbD framework
KER6: Increased knowledge base and expanded portfolio of expertise in cellulose nano-materials
KER7: Methods for non-targeted analysis of VOCs and material composition; Methods for quantitative SSbD assessment
KER8: Self-cleaning and antimicrobial plasma coatings for the textile sector
KER9: Development of novel molecular builders, automation of multiscale simulations, development of computational tools and web applications
KER10: Increase expertise on innovative methods/tools for SSbD assessment for chemicals/advanced materials, expand service portfolio
KER11: Novel high-sensitivity MALS/DLS detector for FFF
KER12: 1 PhD-thesis on ex-ante LCA
KER13: Development of a small filter to enable rapid sampling of nanoparticles from water and air
KER14: Development of SSbD materials for automotive industry
KER15: Nano-cellulose as active ingredient in future cosmetic products; ex-vivo human skin model for hazard assessment
KER16: Eco-friendly sustainable filament yarns (PLA, Recycle PET)
KER17: Instruments for non-targeted analysis of VOCs and material composition
KER18: SSbD workflow framework and software implementation; SSbD Algorithms and Models
KER1: Methods for non-targeted analysis, health and environmental safety assessment, risk mitigation plan
KER2: Wood Plastics Composites with optimized VOC emissions and Odour; Bio-based functional coating
KER3: In-vitro models
KER4: Methods related to the prototype FIB-SIMS instrumentation
KER5: New LSCA methodology aligned with SSbD framework
KER6: Increased knowledge base and expanded portfolio of expertise in cellulose nano-materials
KER7: Methods for non-targeted analysis of VOCs and material composition; Methods for quantitative SSbD assessment
KER8: Self-cleaning and antimicrobial plasma coatings for the textile sector
KER9: Development of novel molecular builders, automation of multiscale simulations, development of computational tools and web applications
KER10: Increase expertise on innovative methods/tools for SSbD assessment for chemicals/advanced materials, expand service portfolio
KER11: Novel high-sensitivity MALS/DLS detector for FFF
KER12: 1 PhD-thesis on ex-ante LCA
KER13: Development of a small filter to enable rapid sampling of nanoparticles from water and air
KER14: Development of SSbD materials for automotive industry
KER15: Nano-cellulose as active ingredient in future cosmetic products; ex-vivo human skin model for hazard assessment
KER16: Eco-friendly sustainable filament yarns (PLA, Recycle PET)
KER17: Instruments for non-targeted analysis of VOCs and material composition
KER18: SSbD workflow framework and software implementation; SSbD Algorithms and Models