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Safe and sustainable by design bio-based compounds for the next generation of liquid repellent textile coatings

Project description

A nature-inspired solution to replace PFAS use in textiles

PFASs have become indispensable in the textile industry because of their exceptional ability to repel water, oil and stains. However, they are highly toxic and persist in the environment for decades. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the BIO-TEXTILE-SSbD project will develop bio-based coatings that offer the same liquid-repelling properties without the harmful side effects. Researchers will receive training in safety and sustainability-by-design principles, including ecotoxicology, biodegradability and bio-based materials, which will help them prioritise safety and sustainability in their work. By replacing PFAS with nature-inspired solutions, BIO-TEXTILE-SSbD aims to reduce pollution and promote healthier ecosystems, particularly in the textile industry.

Objective

Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a series of widely used compounds yet are highly problematic due to their toxicity and environmental persistence. Incoming environmental legislation is set to heavily restrict the use of these compounds, therefore there is a pressing need for safe and sustainable coatings that offer comparable liquid repelling properties. In this context the BIO-TEXTILE-SSbD project: “Safe and sustainable by design bio-based compounds for the next generation of liquid repellent textile coatings”, will utilise computational modelling methods to design and synthesise fully biobased hydrophobic and oleophobic coatings for textile applications, assessing the material properties, biodegradability and ecotoxicology of these materials. The researcher will undertake a thorough training programme centred on safety and sustainability by design (SSbD), incorporating key aspects including ecotoxicology, biodegradability, bio-based feedstocks and sustainable synthesis routes, resulting in a researcher who integrates SSbD principles in every aspect of their research. Ultimately, the aim of this project is to use Nature inspired solutions to contribute towards improving sustainability in the many EU industries that currently use PFAS, with a primary focus on textiles. As sustainable liquid repellent coatings become increasingly available, PFAS use and pollution will decrease, improving the health of both people and ecosystems.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships

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Call for proposal

(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF

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Coordinator

UNIVERSITA DI PISA
Net EU contribution
€ 193 643,28
Address
LUNGARNO PACINOTTI 43/44
56126 Pisa
Italy
Region
Centro (IT) Toscana Pisa
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost
No data

Partners (2)