Background and Motivation
Plastic pollution is a major environmental challenge. By 2015, 60% of all plastic produced had become waste. By 2020, global plastic production reached 370 million tonnes, generating approximately 400 million tonnes of CO2 emissions. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is widely used due to its durability and versatility. However, its recyclability is limited, mainly due to hazardous additives and complex formulations. There is a lack of comprehensive life cycle assessments considering environmental, health, social, and economic impacts.
In response, the European Union introduced the Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) framework through the Green Deal and the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (CSS). The ANALYST project addresses gaps in SSbD implementation, developing tools for integrated impact assessments to support informed decision-making.
Project Objectives:
The ANALYST project aims to advance safer and more sustainable chemicals and materials through tools assessing health, environmental, social, and economic impacts. Innovations include:
• ANALYST-BOX: A methodological framework integrating sustainability dimensions to evaluate materials and chemicals reliably.
• ANALYST-DIGI: A digital support system featuring a Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Tool (DMDMS) and an Open Access platform for safer, more sustainable solutions.
• ANALYST-T-PACK: Actions to promote uptake and long-term impact, including stakeholder engagement, awareness campaigns, and dissemination.
Integration of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH)
Social Sciences and Humanities play a central role in the ANALYST project by helping to shape both its core methodology and its relevance to society. The project places strong emphasis on integrating the social dimension into its approach to impact assessment, ensuring that social, ethical, and economic factors are considered alongside health and environmental aspects. Experts in these areas are actively involved in developing the assessment framework and in ensuring that the tools produced are sensitive to real-world needs. In addition, ongoing collaboration with stakeholders helps to align project outcomes with user expectations and policy realities. Through open communication, educational outreach, and stakeholder engagement, ANALYST supports broader understanding and uptake of its tools, while also helping to prepare both the current and next generation of professionals to work toward safer and more sustainable materials. This human-centred approach strengthens the project’s potential to deliver practical, accepted, and lasting change.
