Applying the SSbD framework to the ZeroF project

In today’s rapidly evolving world, sustainability and safety are critical when designing materials, products, and manufacturing processes.

The Safe and Sustainable By Design framework offers a voluntary approach to steer the innovation of chemicals and materials.

It is a key component of the ZeroF Project, which focuses on developing PFAS-free coatings for food packaging and upholstery textiles.

This article explores how the SSbD framework drives innovation within the project and influences its results.

What is the SSbD framework?

The SSbD framework is a strategic approach that guides the research and development of safer and more sustainable materials and chemicals. It provides a comprehensive methodology that prioritises the reduction of environmental and health risks from the earliest stages of material design, throughout production and the entire product life cycle.

The framework’s approach consists of two phases: a (re)-design phase, where eight guiding principles help in designing chemicals and materials, and a safety and sustainability assessment phase.

The first phase is the (re)-design phase, where eight guiding principles are applied to help design chemicals and materials in a way that enhances sustainability and safety. This phase focuses on improving material efficiency, reducing the use of hazardous chemicals, optimising energy consumption, and prioritising renewable resources. It also emphasizes preventing hazardous emissions, reducing exposure to harmful substances, ensuring safety at the end of a product’s life, and considering the entire life cycle, from raw material sourcing to disposal. By following these principles, the goal is to create products and processes that are safer for both people and the environment.

The second phase is the safety and sustainability assessment phase, which evaluates the chemical safety and environmental impact of the designed materials and processes. This step involves assessing the toxicological and ecotoxicological effects, as well as evaluating environmental, social, and economic sustainability in a step-by-step, hierarchical manner. This assessment ensures that the designed products are not only effective and efficient but also safe for human health and the environment.

How the SSbD framework started

The SSbD framework was developed to support the EU’s broader sustainability and chemical safety objectives. Launched as part of the European Green Deal, it aims to accelerate the transition to a safer, circular, and climate-neutral economy by fostering innovation in chemical and material design.

The framework was officially launched by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) in December 2022, following broad consultation with stakeholders, including industry, research organisations and policymakers.

The SSbD framework is orientated towards continuous improvement, with a focus on iterative assessments to steer innovation towards the green industrial transition, foster substitution or minimisation of the production and use of substances of concern, and minimise the impact on human health, climate and the environment. The focus is on cross-sector and cross-research collaboration, as demonstrated by projects such as ZeroF, which is participating in the framework’s test phase.

Applying the framework in the ZeroF project

The ZeroF project focuses on the development of PFAS-free coatings that are safer, more sustainable, and cost-effective. These coatings are designed for use in food packaging and upholstery textiles, addressing the environmental and health risks associated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

By applying the SSbD framework, ZeroF is ensuring that its coatings meet the highest standards of safety and sustainability from the earliest stages of development.

Key applications of SSbD in ZeroF

1. Hazard and risk assessment: ZeroF conducts thorough hazard assessments of PFAS alternatives, ensuring that replacements are safer and less toxic than PFAS. The project has synthesised 28 carbohydrate fatty acid esters (CFAEs) for food packaging and 6 ORMOCER® materials for textiles. Both are considered safer alternatives, with lower toxicity and environmental impact potentials compared to PFAS. However, challenges exist in the early innovation phase due to limited data on these new materials. To address this, ZeroF is building comprehensive substances inventories that include precursors, catalysts, solvents, surfactants, additives, and emissions, facilitating the assessment of these materials’ safety and environmental impact.
2. Human health and safety: ZeroF prioritises safety throughout the lifecycle of the coatings, from the chemical synthesis phase to application and disposal. The project integrates toxicological models and experimental testing to ensure that the new materials do not pose risks to human health at any stage of their use. This also includes a rigorous process to screen alternative materials for compliance with safety regulations, such as the Food Contact Material Regulation (1935/2004) and certification schemes like OEKO-TEX Standard 1000 for textiles.
3. Environmental Sustainability: The environmental impact of the new coatings is evaluated using the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology. ZeroF aims to reduce the carbon footprint and overall environmental impact of the coatings by using renewable feedstocks and minimising hazardous emissions during production. The project also ensures that these alternatives are compliant with the EU’s Green Deal objectives, contributing to the circular economy and climate neutrality.
4. Social and economic sustainability: ZeroF’s coatings are designed to be affordable, with cost increases kept within 20% of current alternatives. Additionally, the project assesses the social acceptability and economic feasibility of these coatings, ensuring they can be adopted at scale while contributing to the circular economy.
5. Iterative innovation: The SSbD framework emphasises the ongoing refinement of materials and processes throughout the project lifecycle. ZeroF integrates feedback at each stage, from initial design to regulatory approval, ensuring that the final products meet both safety and performance standards. Acknowledging the challenges encountered during the early stages of innovation, such as gaps in data and the limited applicability of existing tools, the project addresses these issues by generating new toxicology data and using complex modelling to bridge knowledge gaps. This approach actively prevents ‘regrettable substitution’ and fosters more well-informed decision-making throughout the process.

Why the framework is crucial for ZeroF

The SSbD framework is a key element of the ZeroF project, offering a structured approach to developing coatings that meet both safety and sustainability goals.

By following the framework’s principles, ZeroF ensures its coatings are free from harmful substances like PFAS while also delivering long-term benefits for human health and the environment. In applying the SSbD framework, ZeroF aims to set a new standard in material innovation that supports the EU’s Green Deal objectives and the global movement toward safer, more sustainable products.

By considering the entire lifecycle of its coatings and continuously evaluating their safety and sustainability, the ZeroF project contributes to the development of materials that are safer for both people and the planet.

Reaching the EU’s broader goals

Integrating the Safe and Sustainable by Design framework into the ZeroF project emphasises the crucial role of safety and sustainability in material innovation in both material science and product design.

In this effort, ZeroF is closely collaborating with the IRISS CSA to advance the SSbD approach alongside other similar Horizon Europe projects. IRISS, a global initiative, accelerates the transition to Safe and Sustainable by Design materials, products, and processes.

Its goal is to transform the SSbD community in Europe and beyond, promoting a lifecycle approach that integrates safety, climate neutrality, circularity, and functionality from the design and manufacturing stages.

By following the framework’s guidelines, ZeroF not only develops safer and more sustainable coatings but also contributes to the EU’s broader goals of pollution reduction, climate neutrality and circular economy.

Through continuous iteration and adherence to the SSbD principles, ZeroF is creating a blueprint for the future of safer and more sustainable product design, setting an example for others in the field.