CORDIS results pack on safe and sustainable by design.
Date: 2025-04-14
Institutions: CORDIS, European Health and Digital Executive Agency
Subjects: advanced materials, applied research, chemical product, green economy, innovation, nanotechnology, research project, research results, sustainable development, twin transition

ISSN 2599-8293

safe and sustainable by design

Responsible chemicals and materials 
development for Europe’s green transition

April 2025

Research and 
Innovation

CORDIS Results Pack on A thematic collection of innovative EU-funded research resultsContents
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A one-stop shop to ensure 
nanomaterials are safe and sustainable

6

The heavy-duty composite bioplastics 
designed to be dismantled 

8

Putting safety at centre of complex 
nanotech materials 

10

Community-building boosts safe and 
sustainable design

13

From hard chromium to safe and 
sustainable by design coatings 

15

Ensuring renewable energy stays green 
from source to socket 

17

Creating sustainable coatings that 
protect products and the environment

19

Designing sustainable advanced multi-
component nanomaterials 

21

Tackling plastic waste with next-gen 
materials 

23

Towards safer plastic coatings for the 
circular economy 

25

Beyond PFAS: safer coatings for EU 
consumer products 

Editorial

Responsible chemicals and materials 
development for Europe’s green transition

Meeting  Europe’s  environmental  and  sustainability  goals  requires  transitioning 
industry  toward  a  circular  economy,  centred  on  the  production  and  use  of 
innovative chemicals and materials that are safe, non-toxic, sustainable and easily 
recyclable  while  maintaining  or  improving  performance.  This  CORDIS  Results 
Pack on safe and sustainable by design highlights the work of 11 Horizon-funded 
projects leading this change in the chemicals and materials sector.

The European Commission’s ‘safe and sustainable by design’ (SSbD) framework is a voluntary 
approach to guide the innovation process for chemicals and materials. It aims to minimise the 
impact of chemicals, materials and products on health, climate and the environment during sourcing, 
production, use and end-of-life.

The approach is especially relevant in the development of chemicals and advanced materials, 
the latter being intentionally designed and engineered substances and materials with innovative 
properties and functionalities.

The objective of SSbD materials research and innovation is to cement EU leadership in the green 
transition industrial policy. Doing so will secure a strong position on the respective high-growth 
global markets by stimulating scientific and technological advancements, investment using the 
SSbD framework when developing new chemicals and materials, as well as their uptake in high 
added-value, competitive products and services across a range of applications and sectors.

This  Pack  showcases  the  results  of  10  Research  and  Innovation  (RIA)  and  one  Coordination 
and Support Action (CSA) Horizon-funded projects, centred on high-performance chemicals and 
materials designed and developed using the SSbD framework as an innovation guide. The collection 
demonstrates the potential of the chemicals and materials to ensure safe and sustainable industrial 
production, securing resilience and innovation potential in a number of industrial sectors critical 
for European autonomy, including medicine, advanced manufacturing (automotive and machinery), 
textile and energy.

The selected projects reflect efforts undertaken at EU level to ensure the elaboration of tools and 
advanced knowledge for SSbD approaches, particularly the development of multi-component 
advanced materials-enabled products, such as functional nanocoatings. 

Europe’s aim is to secure and increase its position in the global market by promoting widescale 
cooperation in and across many different value chains alongside different industrial sectors. Doing 
so will realise the scale-up of these technologies into viable commercial products. 

To support this change, the IRISS project – highlighted in this Pack – aims to foster a SSbD community 
in Europe and globally. Already, more than 350 representatives from industries such as textiles, 
electronics and automotive have joined to promote the development of the SSbD ecosystem.

These and more flagship projects within Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe are spearheading the global 
developments in SSbD, ensuring the long-term resilience of the European industrial and manufacturing 
value chains, and furthering the ambitious objectives of the EU green transition strategy.

A one-stop shop to ensure 
nanomaterials are safe 
and sustainable

The EU-funded DIAGONAL’s work to make industrial nanomaterials safer and more 
sustainable is key to building consumer trust in this fledgling and wide-ranging technology.

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CORDIS Results Pack on safe and sustainable by designResponsible chemicals and materials development for Europe’s green transition 
The  demonstrators  provided  nanoparticle  samples,  so  that 
Rumbo’s team could study their physicochemical properties, such 
as composition, size and surface chemistry. Meanwhile, realistic 
in vitro cellular models – including of lung, gastrointestinal tract, 
skin and immune cells – were developed to explore the impact 
of human exposure. On-site monitoring was also carried out 
at the demonstrators’ industrial facilities to gather detailed 
workplace data.

To assess the ecological implications, the team studied the 
impacts of nanoparticles on model species selected from various 
habitats: worms (soil), ‘Pseudomonas putida’ biofilm (sediment), 
and daphnids and algae (freshwater). 

The combined data, augmented by molecular modelling and 
machine learning techniques, then informed DIAGONAL’s insights. 
Rumbo  explains:  “Our  models  characterise  the  structure  of 
nanoparticles and simulate their behaviour in real environments. 
Thanks to AI we can now create models to predict the toxicity  
of a given MCNM or HARN.”

Trust in nanotechnology

DIAGONAL’s experimental and modelling work has inspired the 
development  of  SSbD  strategies,  validated  by  the  project’s 
industrial partners and implemented by the demonstrators. 

These can be accessed through the DIAGONAL decision support tool 
which evaluates the relative safety of nanoparticles in particular 
scenarios, before proposing specific SSbD strategies alongside 
scores  of  anticipated  impact.  Crucially,  these  scores  reflect 
concerns  going  beyond  safety  alone,  encompassing  wider 
environmental, economic and social impacts.

“Assessing  the  impact  of  the  tool’s  SSbD  strategies  on 
sustainability issues in three case studies, we found significant 
improvements across the board. In one case study, we calculated 
that redesigning zinc oxide nanoparticles resulted in a 68 % 
mitigation of environmental risks and 87 % of social risks, as 
well as a 25 % cost reduction,” adds project co-coordinator  
Sonia Martel Martin.

Despite often being cited as a key enabling technology with the 
potential to revolutionise a variety of industries, nanotechnology 
still raises concerns.

Tiny  nanoparticles  used  in  a  wide  range  of  products  from 
sunscreen to drug delivery, can cross the protective internal 
barriers of living organisms, such as mucus-secreting membranes 
for  instance.  Once  inhaled  or  ingested,  they 
may affect tissues in the brain, lungs or heart. 
They can also leach into soil or water, creating 
a  potential  threat  to  aquatic  and  terrestrial 
organisms. 

“Before  we  can  manage  the  risk  from 
nanoparticles, we must first better understand 
their  physicochemical  properties  and  impact 
during  exposure.  Then  we  can  suggest 
appropriate mitigation measures,” says Carlos 
Rumbo Lorenzo, co-coordinator of the DIAGONAL 
project. 

We calculated 
that 
redesigning 
zinc oxide 
nanoparticles 
resulted  
in a 68 % 
mitigation of 
environmental 
risks.

Alongside this aim, Rumbo and his colleagues 
at the University of Burgos in Spain set out to 
better quantify the sustainability implications of nanomaterials. 
“It’s important to accurately account for the global benefits of 
any future widespread use,” says Rumbo.

Having already produced 28 peer-reviewed journal articles, with 
more in preparation, the project has also generated tools to help 
industry decision makers apply safe and sustainable by design 
(SSbD) principles to nanomaterials.

Characterising nanoparticles

Most  nanoparticle  research  focuses  on  pristine  or  simple 
nanoforms.  DIAGONAL  concentrated  on  the  more  complex 
multicomponent  nanomaterials  (MCNMs)  and  high  aspect 
ratio nanomaterials (HARNs). They were studied within seven 
industrial demonstrators, covering cosmetics, health, automotive, 
aerospace, oil and gas, textiles, and printed electronics.

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CORDIS Results Pack on safe and sustainable by designResponsible chemicals and materials development for Europe’s green transitionThe decision support tool is hosted by DIAGONAL’s cloud-based 
platform, alongside other risk management webtools.

“Our  one-stop  shop  offers  open  access  to  the  most 
up-to-date information for sector-specific risk management 
recommendations. Open databases and ongoing collaborations 
will ensure this continues,” adds Rumbo. 

Towards  this  end,  while  the  team  continues  developing  the 
support tools, it is already participating in joint activities with 
like-minded SSbD projects, such as SUNRISE and DESIDERATA.

P R OJ E C T 
DIAGONAL – Development and scaled 
Implementation of sAfe by design tools and 
Guidelines for multicOmponent aNd hArn 
nanomateriaLs

C O O R D I N AT E D   B Y 
University of Burgos in Spain 

F U N D E D   U N D E R 
Horizon 2020-LEIT-NANO and Horizon 2020-LEIT-
ADVMAT 

C O R D I S   FA C T S H E E T
cordis.europa.eu/project/id/953152

P R OJ E C T   W E B S I T E
diagonalproject.eu

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CORDIS Results Pack on safe and sustainable by designResponsible chemicals and materials development for Europe’s green transitionThe heavy-duty composite 
bioplastics designed to be 
dismantled 

Lightweight and durable, reinforced plastics are critical to modern industry but 
difficult to recycle. The EU-funded ESTELLA project offers an environmentally 
friendly solution.

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Thermoset composites are widely used in applications that must 
stand up to significant mechanical and thermal pressures, such 
as structural components of aircraft and wind turbines. 

three-dimensional crosslinked structure confers strength and rigidity 
on products, allowing them to maintain shape and prevent melting. 

These materials owe their robustness to their unique structure, 
which combines a thermosetting polymer matrix and reinforcing 
fibres,  typically  glass  or  carbon.  Once  irreversibly  ‘cured’,  this 

However, production relies on fossil-based raw materials, which can 
be toxic. They are also hard to recycle, with annual carbon and glass 
fibre composite waste from the aircraft and wind turbine industries 
alone, projected to be 840 300 tonnes by 2050.

CORDIS Results Pack on safe and sustainable by designResponsible chemicals and materials development for Europe’s green transition 
 
“The available recycling techniques are typically either energy-
intensive, so costly and unsustainable; or significantly degrade 
quality,  limiting  applications.  Moreover,  these  techniques 
frequently focus on the recovery of the valuable fibres, while 
discarding the polymer matrix, limiting their reuse,” explains 
ESTELLA  project  coordinator  Laura  Matesanz,  from  the  
Cidaut Foundation in Spain. 

To offer a more sustainable alternative, ESTELLA adopted bio-
based recyclable covalent adaptive networks (CANs) to redesign 
the crosslinked structure of traditional thermosetting materials.

The CAN-do approach 

Comprising 13 research institutions and companies from eight 
European countries, ESTELLA’s first challenge was to incorporate 
the CANs into epoxy resins to form the thermosetting three-
dimensional matrices. 

CANs are ideal, as these polymer structures are made up of 
chemical bonds which can break and reform under specific stimuli, 
such as heat, UV light or changes in acidity – meaning they can 
be more easily manipulated for both production and recycling. 

Diels-Alder chemistry was first used to ‘unlock’ the chemical 
bonds of the CANs and integrate them into the epoxy resins. 
The next task was to find the most compatible bio-based fibres 
for the matrices. After exploring a range of options, hemp and 
nanocellulose fibres were chosen.

To ensure the right configuration of materials, the resulting 
composites have been manufactured into a series of plates 
and subjected to a range of tests to ensure relevant properties 
such as tensile strength and flexibility. 

To explore how the materials would withstand real use cases, 
the teams are now working on the production of prototypes, 
initially for mobility and construction applications. A footrest for 
scooters using a composite of hemp fibres, and a window profile 
with a composite based on nanocellulose fibres, are currently 
being manufactured. 

Ensuring sustainability and 

competitiveness 

Recyclable bio-based thermosetting composites will help reduce 
European dependence on virgin fossil resources while minimising 
waste, supporting prominent EU initiatives such as the European 
Green Deal and circular economy action plan.

To help quantify ESTELLA’s environmental 
contribution, the team will conduct life 
cycle analyses of their solution’s impact 
on climate change, fossil depletion and 
terrestrial  acidification,  compared  to 
conventional processes. 

Economic feasibility studies, including on 
the scalability of the manufacturing and 
recycling processes required, will also be 
undertaken. 

This will not only 
create products 
that benefit people 
and planet but 
help position 
European 
companies at the 
global front line  
of the green 
transition.

“Making  more  sustainable  materials 
available to European sectors such as 
transport and construction will lead to 
more responsible industrial practices. This 
will not only create products that benefit people and planet but 
help position European companies at the global front line of the 
green transition,” says Matesanz.

P R OJ E C T 
ESTELLA – DESign of bio-based Thermoset 
polymer with rEcycLing capabiLity by dynAmic 
bonds for bio-composite manufacturing

C O O R D I N AT E D   B Y
Cidaut Foundation in Spain 

F U N D E D   U N D E R 
Horizon Europe – Digital, Industry and Space

C O R D I S   FA C T S H E E T
cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101058371

To identify optimum recycling options, the team is also adapting 
various pre-existing techniques. Primarily focused on chemical 
approaches to modifying the molecular structure of composites, 
mechanical recycling is also being explored.

P R OJ E C T   W E B S I T E
estellaproject.eu

“Keeping  the  original  mechanical  and  thermal  properties  of 
recycled materials makes them more reusable, so we are fine-
tuning our recycling techniques to retain fibres and the polymer 
matrix,” adds Matesanz.

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CORDIS Results Pack on safe and sustainable by designResponsible chemicals and materials development for Europe’s green transitionPutting safety at centre of 
complex nanotech materials 

Robust safety assessments developed by the EU-funded HARMLESS project are 

helping to ensure that citizens are protected while the European nanotech industry 

can prosper.

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Advances  in  nanotechnology  have  led  to  the  development  of 
innovative  nanomaterials  with  applications  across  a  range  of 
sectors. These advanced materials (AdMa), engineered with improved 
properties compared to conventional materials, have the potential 
to revolutionise industries ranging from construction to agriculture. 

The complexity of these products presents a significant challenge 
to both innovators and regulators. As they are composed of 
intricate mixtures of multiple components, traditional safety 
assessment approaches can fall short. 

CORDIS Results Pack on safe and sustainable by designResponsible chemicals and materials development for Europe’s green transition 
“The benefits of these materials must be weighed against their 
potential risks to human health and the environment,” says 
Tobias Stoeger from Helmholtz Munich in Germany, who together 
with his colleague Otmar Schmid coordinates the HARMLESS 
project. “Ensuring that these materials are safe for ecosystems, 
humans and natural resources is key.”

Human health and 

these  small  particles  may  harm  human  health  and  the 
environment.” 

Other case studies used the project’s guidance and tools to 
assess the safety of colloidal silica used in the paper industry, as 
well as advanced nanomaterials used for thermal insulation in 
houses. Catalysts containing nanomaterials for various chemical 
processes were also assessed. 

environmental safety

Promoting safe and 

Addressing this deficit was the central goal of HARMLESS. The 
project set out to develop a safe and sustainable innovation 
approach to AdMa, to consider both safe and sustainable by 
design (SSbD) principles as well as regulatory preparedness. 

“We set out to develop novel methods and tools to accurately 
evaluate  potential  risks  and  ensure  regulatory  compliance,” 
explains Stoeger. “We need mechanisms in place that support the 
design of safer AdMa, to convince society of their overall benefit.”

To this end, the project has developed a series of integrated tools 
and guidance, along with an online decision support system. 
The idea is that these can be used by innovators to ensure the 
functionality, safety and sustainability of materials across their 
life cycle. 

“Our  user-friendly  decision  support  system  embeds  safety 
considerations into the design process,” adds Stoeger. “It provides 
industries with tools to make informed decisions during the 
development of materials for different consumer products.”

sustainable materials

These trials have successfully demonstrated the potential of 
HARMLESS tools and guidance to help industries, from construction 
to  manufacturing  and  agriculture,  to 
innovate responsibly.  

Users  were  able  to  refine  product 
components,  such  as  their  shape  and 
composition,  to  achieve  the  optimal 
balance between safety and functionality, 
from the very earliest stages of innovation. 

Ensuring that 
these materials 
are safe for 
ecosystems, 
humans and 
natural resources 
is key.

“By  promoting  the  use  of  sustainable 
and harmless materials, HARMLESS has 
helped to pave the way for a future where 
innovation  through  AdMa  can  flourish,” 
notes Stoeger. “Assessing the safety of AdMa throughout their 
entire life cycle will help industry to produce next-generation 
AdMa that are safe to both humans and the environment.” 

Assessing  life  cycle  safety  of 

AdMa

The project’s tools and support system have been trialled through 
several case studies. One critical area of focus has been the 
use of nanostructures and matrix-embedded small particles 
incorporated  into  products  such  as  paints  and  agricultural 
products. 

“When paints are exposed to harsh weather conditions, they 
degrade over time and potentially release tiny particles – some 
less than 100 nanometres in size, or about 100 times smaller 
than a strand of hair – into the environment,” says Stoeger. 

P R OJ E C T 
HARMLESS – Advanced High Aspect Ratio and 
Multicomponent materials: towards 
comprehensive intelLigent tEsting and Safe by 
design Strategies

C O O R D I N AT E D   B Y
Helmholtz Munich in Germany

F U N D E D   U N D E R 
Horizon 2020-LEIT-NANO and Horizon 2020-LEIT-
ADVMAT

C O R D I S   FA C T S H E E T
cordis.europa.eu/project/id/953183

“Similarly, small particles can be released from plant protection 
products during handling or spraying onto fields. When inhaled, 

P R OJ E C T   W E B S I T E
harmless-project.eu

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CORDIS Results Pack on safe and sustainable by designResponsible chemicals and materials development for Europe’s green transitionCommunity-building boosts 
safe and sustainable design

Industries such as textiles, electronics and automotive manufacturing are looking to increase 
safety and reduce the environmental impact. The EU-funded IRISS project fostered  
a network of stakeholders to implement safe and sustainable by design.

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CORDIS Results Pack on safe and sustainable by designResponsible chemicals and materials development for Europe’s green transition 
 
 
The future of European industry lies in a circular economy built 
on chemicals and materials that have reduced impact on human 
health and the environment. The concept of safe and sustainable 
by design (SSbD) has been developed to help identify such 
materials as early in the innovation process as possible.

“One issue for example might be how to tackle contamination 
from recycling materials,” notes Strömberg. “By applying the 
concept of SSbD, industrial partners can ensure that any health 
issues are addressed early in the design stage, while promoting 
circularity.”

“It is the combination of safety and sustainability that makes 
SSbD such a novel concept,” explains IRISS project coordinator 
Emma Strömberg from the IVL Swedish Environmental Research 
Institute in Sweden. “This ensures that when designing chemicals 
and materials you don’t just focus on one issue or the other, you 
address both at the same time.” 

SSbD in industrial settings

To assess the applicability of the SSbD framework in industrial 
settings, the project focused on seven value chains for chemicals 
and products used in textiles, construction, electronics, energy, 
automotive, packaging and fragrance. 

Applying SSbD to circular 

economies 

The IRISS project was launched in June 2022 to promote this 
concept among a wide range of industry partners. The starting 
point for this was the European Commission’s SSbD framework, 
announced  in  December  that  year.  “Before  this  framework, 
there really wasn’t a common understanding of SSbD,” adds 
Strömberg. 

The project brought together experts from academia, industry 
and policy, with the aim of raising awareness and finding a 
common language for discussing SSbD. “We wanted to be able 
to explain what we actually mean when we talk about an SSbD 
assessment,” says Strömberg.

The second major aim of the project was to build an SSbD 
community around this concept. The goal of this is to provide  
a platform where experiences can be exchanged, and discussions 
of complex issues can take place. 

“We wanted to look at real case studies to 
find solutions,” adds Strömberg. “Many of 
these case studies were very specific. In the 
automative sector for example, we looked 
at the polyurethane used in car seats.” 

Before this 
framework, there 
really wasn’t  
a common 
understanding  
of SSbD.

The automotive industry is likely to play  
a significant role in the transition to a more 
safe and sustainable society. At the same 
time, it is a major contributor to greenhouse 
gas emissions and air pollution. Taking account of both safety 
and sustainability throughout the design and development phase 
is therefore likely to have strong societal benefits. 

“Each value chain identified a product, material or chemical that 
they wished to focus on,” explains Strömberg. “We were also 
interested in seeing if we could identify any knowledge or skills 
gaps that needed to be addressed.”

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CORDIS Results Pack on safe and sustainable by designResponsible chemicals and materials development for Europe’s green transitionGrowing the SSbD community

The IRISS SSbD community was launched in May 2024 and 
already has over 350 members. The platform provides a space 
where information can be shared, working groups formed and 
sector-specific problems addressed. 

“We will continue to build this community after the project ends,” 
remarks Strömberg. “We are also planning training sessions on 
how to apply SSbD in specific sectors and are planning an SSbD 
conference in November 2025.”

Strömberg believes that the project has already helped to raise 
awareness of SSbD, and kick-started a number of interesting 
discussions about the critical role of chemicals and materials 
in society. 

P R OJ E C T 
IRISS – The InteRnatIonal ecosystem for 
accelerating the transition to Safe-and-
Sustainable-by-design materials, products and 
processes

C O O R D I N AT E D   B Y 
IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute in 
Sweden 

F U N D E D   U N D E R 
Horizon Europe – Digital, Industry and Space  

C O R D I S   FA C T S H E E T
cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101058245

“Community is the key factor here, and we are not just thinking about 
Europe,” she says. “We are spreading the word through international 
arenas, with the aim of making SSbD a global initiative.” 

P R OJ E C T   W E B S I T E
iriss-ssbd.eu

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CORDIS Results Pack on safe and sustainable by designResponsible chemicals and materials development for Europe’s green transitionFrom hard chromium to 
safe and sustainable by 
design coatings 

Nanocomposite coatings developed by the EU-funded MOZART project are poised  
to transform the surface treatment industry by showing equivalent performance to hard 
chromium, with improved safety and sustainability.

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CORDIS Results Pack on safe and sustainable by designResponsible chemicals and materials development for Europe’s green transition 
By virtue of their excellent hardness and resistance to wear and 
corrosion, hard chromium coatings have long been the preferred 
choice for a range of industrial applications. However, production 
of hard chromium requires the use of toxic hexavalent chromium 
(Cr6+) substances, presenting significant environmental and 
occupational health issues. 

Because  of  their  toxicity,  Cr6+  substances  are  subject  to 
authorisation  under  the  EU’s  REACH  regulation  on  harmful 
chemical  substances.  The  European  Commission  has  also 
approved  a  proposal 
requires 
companies  producing  hard  chromium 
risk 
coatings 
management  procedures,  reassess  the 
availability  of  safer  alternatives,  and 
implement a substitute material as soon 
as possible. 

implement  strict 

that 

to 

We are setting a 
new benchmark for 
environmentally 
friendly surface 
treatments.

Helping to orchestrate this transition is the 
EU-funded MOZART project.

“Using  safe  and  sustainable  by  design  principles,  we’ve 
developed REACH-compliant nanocomposite coatings that can 
replace hard chromium coatings in targeted applications,” says 
Myrto Pelopida, a business analyst at AXIA Innovation and the 
project’s dissemination and exploitation manager.

Durable nanocomposite 

alternatives

One  of  the  project’s  most  important  achievements  is  the 
development of nanocomposite coatings via the incorporation 
of nanoparticles in the metallic coating. “These nanoparticles can 
enhance the properties of the MOZART coatings to match or exceed 
the performance of hard chromium coatings,” explains Pelopida. 

of our project partners, we were ultimately able to achieve high-
quality, durable coatings while ensuring environmental safety,” 
adds Pelopida.

Driving industrial innovation

By following safe and sustainable by design guidelines, MOZART 
ensured that its solutions can be used within current workflows. 
It is also developing a hybrid training dataset to help companies 
make the transition to the new nanocomposite coatings.

“Not only do our solutions offer equivalent levels of hardness 
and  resistance  to  corrosion  and  wear  to  hard  chromium-
based  coatings,  but  they  are  also  compatible  with  existing 
manufacturing processes, meaning companies can essentially 
start using it today,” explains Pelopida. 

The team is currently working to further scale up its technology for 
commercial applications while also monitoring its sustainability. 
Furthermore, as artificial intelligence advances, the project is 
expanding its use of the technology to conduct more precise 
simulations and to refine its electrolyte formulations for broader 
industry uptake.

“We are setting a new benchmark for environmentally friendly surface 
treatments while demonstrating how advanced technologies like AI, 
nanotechnology, and safe and sustainable by design principles can 
drive industrial innovation without compromising environmental and 
worker safety,” concludes Pelopida.

P R OJ E C T 
MOZART – Metal matrix nano-composite 
coatings utilization as alternative to hard 
chromium

C O O R D I N AT E D   B Y 
Polytechnic University of Milan in Italy 

Using REACH-compliant electrolytes, a series of nickel/silicon 
carbide nanocomposite coatings were produced at pilot scale, 
showing hardness comparable to hard chromium. 

F U N D E D   U N D E R 
Horizon Europe – Digital, Industry and Space

“Developing REACH-compliant electrolytes and incorporating 
nanoparticles into existing plating lines required us to overcome 
several technical hurdles,” notes Pelopida. To address these 
challenges,  the  project  used  artificial  intelligence-driven 
simulations, chemical functionalisation of nanoparticles, and 
advanced electroplating techniques. “Thanks to the hard work 

C O R D I S   FA C T S H E E T
cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101058450

P R OJ E C T   W E B S I T E
mozart-project.eu

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CORDIS Results Pack on safe and sustainable by designResponsible chemicals and materials development for Europe’s green transitionEnsuring renewable energy 
stays green from source to 
socket 

By reducing the use of rare earth materials and increasing recyclability, the EU-funded 
NOUVEAU project designed a more sustainable solution for converting and storing 
wind and solar energy.

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CORDIS Results Pack on safe and sustainable by designResponsible chemicals and materials development for Europe’s green transition 
Because the wind 
doesn’t always 
blow and the sun 
doesn’t always 
shine, renewable 
energy can’t 
always be 
produced.

Transitioning  away  from  fossil  fuels  is  critical  to  creating  
a sustainable energy supply. But this requires more than harnessing 
renewable energy sources – it also requires the energy to be 
converted and stored in an environmentally friendly manner. 

“Because the wind doesn’t always blow and the sun doesn’t 
always shine, renewable energy can’t always be produced,” 
says  Marijke  Jacobs,  a  scientist  at  the  Flemish  Institute  for 
Technological Research (VITO). “Instead, we must find ways to 
be able to convert and store that energy for later use.” 

Currently,  the  most  promising  way  of 
doing so is with what is called solid oxide 
electrolysis  technology  (SOEC).  While 
SOEC is an efficient method for converting 
electricity into hydrogen fuel, the device is 
comprised of cells made from rare earth 
elements such as lanthanum. 

“The  cost  of  these  elements  is  heavily 
industrial  and 
the 
influenced  by 
economic policies of rare earth-producing 
countries,”  adds  Jacobs.  “Any  increase 
in the cost of rare earths may endanger 
the  commercialisation  of  SOEC-based 
technologies.” The EU-funded NOUVEAU project is helping to 
mitigate these risks.

Sustainable energy conversion

Coordinated by VITO, the NOUVEAU project created a sustainable, 
cost-effective solution for converting renewable energy. At the 
heart of that solution is an innovative solid oxide cell designed 
as a potential alternative to traditional cells. “This innovative 
electrode material, when used in combination with advanced 
coating methods, has the potential to significantly reduce the use 
of rare earth elements in SOEC technologies,” explains Jacobs.

experimental work, allowed researchers to identify the most 
promising composition for alternative electrodes.

A circular solution 

While the main goal of the project was to reduce the use of 
rare earth elements in the manufacturing of solid oxide cells, 
researchers also saw an opportunity to go one step further. 
“To design a truly sustainable solution, we also looked at the 
manufacturing and end-of-life processes,” notes Jacobs.

In terms of what happens to the cells once they can no longer be 
used, researchers developed innovative strategies to ensure that 
such critical elements as yttrium could be recycled and reused, 
reducing the need to mine new rare earth elements. 

“Not only does NOUVEAU offer a sustainable and cost-effective 
alternative to the current SOEC technologies used for generating 
hydrogen, it also helps enable a circular economy,” concludes Jacobs. 

The project team continues to advance its research on SOEC 
technology,  with  a  particular  focus  on  integrating  safe  and 
sustainable by design principles into their processes. 

P R OJ E C T 
NOUVEAU – Novel electrode coatings and 
interconnect for sustainable and reusable 
SOEC

C O O R D I N AT E D   B Y 
Flemish Institute for Technological Research in 
Belgium 

F U N D E D   U N D E R 
Horizon Europe – Digital, Industry and Space 

C O R D I S   FA C T S H E E T
cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101058784

To  better  understand  the  potential  of  this  development, 
researchers  created  a  comprehensive  virtual  modelling 
database to calculate and predict the material properties of 
SOEC  electrodes.  This  database,  together  with  the  project’s 

P R OJ E C T   W E B S I T E
nouveau-project.eu 

16

CORDIS Results Pack on safe and sustainable by designResponsible chemicals and materials development for Europe’s green transitionCreating sustainable 
coatings that protect 
products and the 
environment

Researchers for the EU-funded PROPLANET project developed a new range of 
coatings for the textile, food packaging and glass industries that avoid common 
environmental, ecological and health concerns.

The global coatings market is expanding, while regulations are 
becoming increasingly strict in order to protect consumer and 
environmental safety. Many commonly used and conventional 
coatings  contain  hazardous  substances,  including  per-  and 
polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), volatile organic compounds 
(VOCs) and heavy metals. 

“Additionally, coatings used in industrial applications may contain 
microplastics,  which  end  up  in  waterways,  harming  aquatic 
life and biodiversity,” notes Johannes Seif, coordinator of the 
PROPLANET project.

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CORDIS Results Pack on safe and sustainable by designResponsible chemicals and materials development for Europe’s green transition 
“All PROPLANET coatings have been designed and optimised 
following a safe and sustainable by design approach,” says 
Brusciotti.

Interactive tool for industry 

stakeholders

PROPLANET’s  glass  and  food-packaging  machine  coatings 
formulations are 100 % PFAS-free, with hydrophobic behaviour 
comparable to the current benchmarks. The team also started 
development on an interactive tool, which will provide valuable 
information to stakeholders and facilitate the replication of 
PROPLANET results and application of the developed materials.

Several trials are now under way with industry stakeholders 
to evaluate the coatings in real-world applications and deliver 
feedback. By expanding to target industries such as construction, 
automotive and food packaging, PROPLANET will help lower 
carbon footprints and prevent the release of persistent pollutants 
into soil and water systems. 

these 

“Through 
innovations,  PROPLANET  supports  EU 
sustainability goals, aligning with the Green Deal, zero pollution 
strategy and REACH regulations, ensuring that Europe leads the 
way in green technology and responsible manufacturing,” adds 
Ioanna Katsavou, communication and dissemination manager 
of the PROPLANET project.

P R OJ E C T 
PROPLANET – Enhanced Safe and Sustainable 
coatings for supporting the Planet

C O O R D I N AT E D   B Y 
Idener Research and Development in Spain

F U N D E D   U N D E R 
Horizon Europe – Digital, Industry and Space 

C O R D I S   FA C T S H E E T
cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101091842

P R OJ E C T   W E B S I T E
proplanet-project.eu

PROPLANET developed safe and sustainable by design (SSbD) 
coatings that eliminate these environmental concerns while 
maintaining high performance. The project focused on creating 
coatings  in  three  key  industries:  textiles,  food  packaging 
machinery and glass. 

“Our  bio-based  hybrid  coatings  are  designed  to  reduce 
environmental pollution, minimise toxic chemical exposure, and 
promote a circular economy by incorporating biodegradable and 
recyclable materials,” explains Seif.

New sustainable alternatives

The team developed various water-based coatings for the textile 
industry, using natural compounds such as polysaccharides. This 
also led to improved technical know-how, including formulations 
and properties derived from biomaterials.

The developed coatings were applied on textile substrates and 
tested for properties such as water repellence, with performance 
measured against commercially available benchmark coatings. 
“With the proper fine-tuning of viscosity and other parameters, 
they  could  be  applied  on  textiles  by 
impregnation or knife coating techniques,” 
adds 
technical 
coordinator of PROPLANET. The material 
used 50 % less fluorine than other water-
repellent fabrics.

Fabiola  Brusciotti, 

Components  used  in  food  preparation 
machinery  require  coatings  with  non-
stick  properties  and  high  resistance  to 
temperature  and  corrosion.  The  team 
used  a  chemical  process  known  as  the 
sol-gel technique to develop a PFAS-free 
alternative. This new coating is an organic and inorganic hybrid, 
consisting of a corrosion and temperature-resistant basecoat 
and a scratch-resistant top layer, with low surface energy for 
non-stick properties.

All PROPLANET 
coatings have been 
designed and 
optimised following 
a safe and 
sustainable by 
design approach.

The researchers also sought to design very thin, highly transparent 
glass coatings that are water-repellent and easy to clean. Using 
the sol-gel technique again, the team created environmentally 
friendly alternatives with equivalent properties to commonly 
used materials. 

18

CORDIS Results Pack on safe and sustainable by designResponsible chemicals and materials development for Europe’s green transitionDesigning sustainable 
advanced multi-component 
nanomaterials 

State-of-the-art hybrid nanomaterials carry potential benefits – and risks. The EU-
funded SUNSHINE project created new strategies to overcome concerns about the 
technology.

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Multi-component nanomaterials (MCNMs) are advanced hybrid 
materials formed by two or more functional components, such 
as nanocrystals and nanoparticles, or by a nanomaterial with a 
unique chemical composition modified by hard or soft coatings.

Major industrial sectors such as construction, food, healthcare, 
energy, cosmetics and electronics are all investing in the research, 
design and technological development of these promising new 
materials, which offer unprecedented technological benefits. 

19

CORDIS Results Pack on safe and sustainable by designResponsible chemicals and materials development for Europe’s green transition 
 
the market. “The SSbD strategies will ensure 
safety without compromising the successful 
scale-up of nanotechnologies, which will speed 
up innovation,” notes Hristozov. 

Some MCNMs can reveal unexpected safety 
risks  only  several  years  after  their  market 
introduction, which could result in future heavy-
handed regulations that might harm consumer 
confidence. By addressing regulatory concerns in the early stages 
of innovation, the SUNSHINE approach will bring safer MCNM-
based technologies to the market, while reducing life cycle R&D 
and regulatory compliance costs.

“This  will  directly  increase  industrial  competitiveness  and 
economic  growth,”  adds  Hristozov.  “The  project  will  have  a 
significant impact on society by delivering safer value-added 
products that contribute directly to the well-being of citizens.”

From SUNSHINE to SUNRISE

The promising work of SUNSHINE will continue in a new project, 
SUNRISE, which will run until the end of 2027. “SUNRISE will build 
upon our achievements to deliver an approach for integrated 
assessment  of  health,  environmental,  social  and  economic 
impacts, and we will test it through case studies representing 
industrially  relevant  advanced  materials  of  high  societal 
relevance,” says Hristozov.

P R OJ E C T 
SUNSHINE – Safe and sUstainable by desigN 
Strategies for HIgh performance multi-
component NanomatErials

C O O R D I N AT E D   B Y 
University of Venice in Italy

F U N D E D   U N D E R 
Horizon 2020-LEIT-ADVMAT and Horizon 2020-LEIT-
NANO 

C O R D I S   FA C T S H E E T
cordis.europa.eu/project/id/952924

P R OJ E C T   W E B S I T E
h2020sunshine.eu

Yet  MCNMs  pose  considerable  design 
challenges.  Furthermore,  due  to  the  varied 
toxicities of separate components, and complex 
interactions  with  biological  and  ecological 
systems,  these  hybrid  products  also  bring  a 
range  of  environmental,  health  and  safety 
concerns. 

The project generated 
a solid understanding 
of the hazard  
and exposure 
characteristics of 
these advanced 
materials.

“These  concerns  are  magnified  by  the  lack 
of fundamental research and regulatory guidance addressing 
the unique properties of these advanced materials,” explains  
Danail Hristozov, coordinator of the SUNSHINE project.

Hristozov’s  team  worked  to  develop  safe  and  sustainable 
by design (SSbD) strategies for the creation of products that 
incorporate multi-component nanomaterials. 

Getting to know MCNMs 

The project worked on several specific case studies of MCNM 
products  including  materials  to  replace  halogenated  flame 
retardants, nanohybrid materials that improve the mechanical 
resistance  of  building  materials,  applications  to  remove 
toxic  gases  from  building  facades,  nanoclays  for  anti-pest 
cereal  grain  packaging,  and  non-stick  coatings  to  replace 
polytetrafluoroethylene in baking. 

“The project generated a solid understanding of the hazard and 
exposure characteristics of these advanced materials, and of the 
impact of their complex interactions on manufacturing processes 
and product performance,” says Hristozov. 

Part of the SUNSHINE project involved the development and 
testing of a digital e-infrastructure to facilitate collaboration and 
information exchange between various actors in the supply chain. 

This offers a platform for gathering all the essential knowledge, 
tools and data needed to develop and validate SSbD strategies 
for MCNM-based materials and products. Through SUNSHINE, the 
e-infrastructure was applied in the various project case studies 
at different stages in an iterative process, which enabled its 
continuous refinement according to stakeholder needs. 

A more sustainable Europe 

SUNSHINE will significantly contribute to enhancing the capacity 
of the nanotechnology sector to deliver innovative products to 

20

CORDIS Results Pack on safe and sustainable by designResponsible chemicals and materials development for Europe’s green transitionTackling plastic waste with 
next-gen materials 

The EU-funded SURPASS project is on a mission to revolutionise the plastics industry 
by producing safe, sustainable and recyclable materials by design.

The modern world relies on plastics, but the growing focus on 
household sorting and recycling efforts highlights the need to 
investigate more effective reprocessing and recycling methods 
once  plastics  reach  the  end  of  their  useful  life,  as  well  as 
strategies  to  integrate  recycling  as  early  as  possible  in  the 
innovation stage. 

Hosted by the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy 
Commission (CEA), in collaboration with research and technology 
organisations and industry partners, the SURPASS project is 

integrating safety and sustainability into material development 
from the very earliest stages. 

“Many plastics on the market are neither completely safe nor 
sustainable,” explains project coordinator Simon Clavaguera, 
head of laboratory at CEA in Grenoble. “They were designed 
without considering their full life cycle, including environmental 
impact, recyclability or potential hazards. Our goal is to ensure 
new materials prioritise these aspects from the outset.”

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CORDIS Results Pack on safe and sustainable by designResponsible chemicals and materials development for Europe’s green transition 
Eliminating plastic waste 

Plastic waste remains a significant environmental issue, with 
much  of  it  ending  up  in  landfills.  To  address  this,  SURPASS 
targets three industrial sectors that together account for 70 % 
of European plastic demand. 

supports the consortium in developing sustainable innovative 
materials and assessing safety from an industrial perspective.

In the transport sector, the project has worked with research 
institutions  such  as  Fraunhofer  ICT  and  Cidetec,  acting  as  
a launching pad for industry actors such as the Spanish train 
manufacturer Talgo.

In construction, SURPASS has created recyclable bio-sourced 
for  window 
resins 
polyurethane 
frames, while improving performance 
by  reducing  thermal  conductance  by 
70 % compared to PVC, the present 
industry standard. Free of hazardous 
substances, these resins are also being 
optimised for recyclability with minimal 
material loss. 

SURPASS prioritises 
safety and 
sustainability  
from the outset.

For transport, the team has developed 
fire-resistant, recyclable composites material to replace metal 
in  train  bodies.  Meeting  strict  fire  safety  standards,  these 
lightweight materials enhance durability, reduce train weight 
and improve energy efficiency. 

In  food  packaging,  the  project  has  met  key  targets  with  its 
recyclable multi-nanolayered films, improving reprocessing and 
oxygen barrier properties. Trials show promising results, though 
transparency remains a challenge. “We achieved a significant 
barrier to oxygen, crucial for preserving food,” Clavaguera notes. 
“The team is now addressing the material’s visual quality while 
assessing consumer acceptance.”

Industry collaboration

A  key  goal  has  been  advancing  materials  from  technology 
readiness  level  (TRL)  3  to  TRL  5  within  3.5  years,  ensuring 
real-world application readiness. Several project partners have 
already patented key innovations, with licensing discussions 
under way to facilitate commercialisation.

Collaboration with industry partners has been vital to the project’s 
success  to  date.  Indresmat,  a  Spanish  SME,  is  developing 
innovative  formulations,  while  WIPAK,  a  flexible  packaging 
company,  ensures  the  materials  meet  market  needs.  BASF 

Standardisation and digital tools

With one year left, SURPASS is now turning its attention towards 
digital infrastructure. “We are developing a website to compile 
our findings, along with tools and methods to help SMEs both 
adopt our results, and participate in the development of safe 
and  sustainable  plastics,  thereby  strengthening  European 
competitiveness,” Clavaguera concludes. 

Standardisation  is  another  key  element,  with  the  team 
implementing changes to existing standards and launching new 
ones, particularly for plastic decontamination after use. This 
alignment is essential for maximising the project’s impact and 
practical application. 

SURPASS  ends  in  November  2025,  and  its  impact  on  the 
plastics industry could be profound, setting new precedents for 
sustainability, safety and recyclability across multiple sectors.

P R OJ E C T 
SURPASS – Safe-, sUstainable- and Recyclable-
by design Polymeric systems - A guidance 
towardS next generation of plasticS

C O O R D I N AT E D   B Y 
French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy 
Commission in France

F U N D E D   U N D E R 
Horizon Europe – Digital, Industry and Space 

C O R D I S   FA C T S H E E T
cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101057901

P R OJ E C T   W E B S I T E
surpass-project.eu

22

CORDIS Results Pack on safe and sustainable by designResponsible chemicals and materials development for Europe’s green transitionTowards safer plastic 
coatings for the circular 
economy 

The EU-funded TORNADO project is creating bio-based coating alternatives for 
textile, packaging and kitchenware, without the environmental and health hazards 
linked to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

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Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widely used for 
their durability and resistance to heat, stains and water. However, 
their potential toxicity has raised serious concerns. In response, 
TORNADO is developing water- and oil-repellent coatings that 
align  with  the  European  Green  Deal  and  circular  economy 
principles, ensuring safety without compromising performance.

The project brings together partners from France, Italy, Spain, Sweden 
and Türkiye, aiming to strengthen Europe’s manufacturing sector. 
Project coordinator Raquel Rodríguez, senior researcher/project 
manager at the TECNALIA Research & Innovation Foundation in 
Spain, explains: “We need to develop new bio-based coatings 
to be in line with the circular economy. And to involve European 

23

CORDIS Results Pack on safe and sustainable by designResponsible chemicals and materials development for Europe’s green transition 
companies in developing their own coatings to improve industrial 
capacity.” 

Achievements to date

As TORNADO moves into its final phases, the focus will be on 
validating the coatings in operational environments. This will 
involve testing their performance against industry standards 
for  durability,  waterproofing  and  oxygen  barrier  properties. 
The  project  follows  the  safe  and  sustainable  by  design 
(SSbD)  framework,  ensuring  that  safety  and  environmental 
considerations are embedded from the start. 

Rodríguez highlights the project’s holistic approach: “We are 
following the safe and sustainable by design criteria in all the 
value chains from the development of the biomonomers, to the 
coatings, and the application of the coatings.”

In other results, TORNADO has successfully developed polymers 
containing 25 % functionalised biomass, an important step 
towards sustainability. Another milestone includes the submission 
of a patent application for a novel polymerisation process in 
December 2024.

These successes demonstrate that SSbD and high performance 
can go hand in hand.

P R OJ E C T
TORNADO – New routes of safe and 
sustainable by design water and oil repellent 
biobased coatings

C O O R D I N AT E D   B Y 
TECNALIA Research & Innovation Foundation in 
Spain

F U N D E D   U N D E R
Horizon Europe – Digital, Industry and Space

C O R D I S   FA C T S H E E T
cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101091944

P R OJ E C T   W E B S I T E
tornado-project.eu

Innovation and progress

At the centre of TORNADO is the development of biomonomers, 
the building blocks of new coatings. These will be used to create 
water-based acrylic polymer coatings and sol-gel (liquid to solid) 
hybrid coatings, targeting applications in packaging, textiles and 
kitchenware.

A key challenge has been achieving scalability and ensuring that 
these innovations move from the lab to industrial production. One 
major success has been overcoming 
difficulties in polymerisation, a crucial 
step in creating the coatings.

We need to develop 
new bio-based 
coatings to be in line 
with the circular 
economy.

“The most challenging step for us was 
to perform the copolymerisation of the 
biomonomers in a process that could 
be  scaled  up  by  a  company,”  adds 
Rodríguez.  “We  have  achieved  that 
and  we  are  now  working  on  further 
scalability.”

While the project is ongoing, significant progress has been made. 
Researchers have successfully created hydrophobic coatings with 
water contact angles exceeding 100 degrees, a strong indicator 
of water repellence. In real-world testing, these coatings have 
shown impressive resistance, particularly in packaging applications. 
“We have checked that this coating can avoid the penetration of 
ketchup and mayonnaise in paper,” says Rodríguez, demonstrating 
its potential for food packaging solutions.

Dissemination and engagement  

TORNADO has actively engaged with the scientific and industrial 
communities through key events. The project was presented 
at MeetingPack24 in Valencia, Spain in April 2024, where an 
in-depth presentation highlighted the latest findings in packaging. 
Smart & Technical Textiles 2024 also featured discussions on the 
project’s contributions to sustainable textile solutions.

Beyond physical events, TORNADO has reached a wider audience 
through online dissemination, with webinars attracting participants 
from universities, research centres and industry, demonstrating  
a strong global interest in bio-based coating solutions.

24

CORDIS Results Pack on safe and sustainable by designResponsible chemicals and materials development for Europe’s green transitionBeyond PFAS: safer coatings 
for EU consumer products 

Widely used in food packaging and textiles, fluorinated compounds can accumulate in 
our bodies and the environment, posing health risks. The EU-funded ZeroF project is 
leading the search for replacements.

As the EU prepares to tighten regulations on per- and polyfluoroalkyl 
substances (PFAS) in 2026, the race is on for safer alternatives. 
ZeroF brings together 12 research and industry partners from nine 
countries, coordinated by Finland’s leading research centre VTT. 

Their aim is to develop safe and sustainable PFAS-free coatings 
for  food  packaging  and  upholstery  textiles,  maintaining  the 
beneficial properties of traditional coatings.

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CORDIS Results Pack on safe and sustainable by designResponsible chemicals and materials development for Europe’s green transition 
“We need solutions that perform just as well as PFAS, without 
the risks,” says Miika Nikinmaa, lead of biomaterial solutions at 
VTT. “The industry has to adapt quickly to upcoming regulations 
to ensure safety and performance remain uncompromised.”

ZeroF’s success so far is also thanks to its collaboration with 
other EU-funded initiatives, such as BIO-SUSHY, PROPLANET 
and TORNADO. 

Frameworks and outcomes 

ZeroF uses the safe and sustainable by design framework (SSbD) 
of the Joint Research Centre (JRC) to develop materials, optimise 
formulations and assess safety, performance and sustainability. 
This approach ensures that the developed coatings are effective, 
environmentally friendly, safe and compliant with regulatory 
standards.

The  project  focused  on  creating  organic-inorganic  hybrid 
coatings for textiles and advanced barrier solutions for moulded 
packaging. Researchers have improved the water resistance of 
PFAS-free textiles and are exploring innovative chemistry to 
enhance oil repellence.

So far, the team has made significant progress in developing 
PFAS-free coatings for textiles and packaging, including a product 
named ORMOCER®, and carbohydrate fatty acid ester-based
coatings demonstrating excellent water and oil resistance. ZeroF 
has eliminated harmful solvents, replaced hazardous catalysts 
and  optimised  formulations  with  advanced  additives  and 
polymers to guarantee strong performance and safety.

Spray and powder coating techniques were refined to support 
industrial-scale production. Life cycle assessments and consumer 
surveys offer insights into sustainability and market potential, 
supporting real-world application of ZeroF’s innovations. 

Collaborative efforts 

Participation in ECOSYSTEX also provides a valuable network for 
sharing knowledge, while close cooperation with SSbD networks 
such as IRISS maintains alignment with safe and sustainable by 
design principles at every stage of development.

A safer future

The newly developed barrier coatings are on 
track for commercial production, particularly 
in the moulded packaging sector. In textiles, 
researchers are refining oil and chemical 
resistance to expand applications into areas 
such as protective clothing.

We need solutions 
that perform as 
well as PFAS, 
without the risks.

To  further  raise  awareness,  a  dedicated  campaign  is  being 
launched  in  2025,  highlighting  the  benefits  of  PFAS-free 
solutions. “It isn’t just about regulations; we want consumers 
and  businesses  to  understand  why  switching  to  safer 
alternatives matters,” adds Nikinmaa. This will culminate in  
a final event in October 2025, showcasing the project’s findings 
and paving the way for wider adoption.

As the project concludes in December 2025, the final phase 
will  explore  biodegradability  for  packaging  applications  and 
sustainable end-of-life solutions for textiles to prevent long-term 
environmental damage. This ensures that safer alternatives are 
accessible and practical for widespread adoption. 

P R OJ E C T 
ZeroF – Development of verified safe and 
sustainable PFAS-free coatings for food 
packaging and upholstery textile applications

Replacing PFAS is not easy, and achieving strong water and 
grease repellence while keeping costs reasonable was a key 
challenge. ZeroF aims to reduce environmental impact by 25 % 
while keeping cost increases for consumers under 20 %. 

C O O R D I N AT E D   B Y 
VTT in Finland

Additionally, gaps in safety data for PFAS alternatives and the 
limited applicability of existing assessment tools complicated 
the research process. “The lack of comprehensive safety data 
made it difficult to fully assess PFAS alternatives,” Nikinmaa 
notes. “We needed a stronger database to guide development 
and establish regulatory compliance.”

F U N D E D   U N D E R 
Horizon Europe – Digital, Industry and Space

C O R D I S   FA C T S H E E T
cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101092164

P R OJ E C T   W E B S I T E
zerof.eu

26

CORDIS Results Pack on safe and sustainable by designResponsible chemicals and materials development for Europe’s green transitionCORDIS Results Pack

Available online in 6 language versions: cordis.europa.eu/article/id/457662

Published
on behalf of the European Commission by CORDIS at the
Publications Office of the European Union
L-2985 Luxembourg
LUXEMBOURG

cordis@publications.europa.eu

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Office nor any person acting on its behalf is responsible for the use that may be made
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despite the care taken in preparing them.

The technologies presented in this publication may be covered by intellectual property rights.

This Results Pack is a collaboration between CORDIS and the European Health and Digital Executive Agency.     

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CORDIS Results Pack on safe and sustainable by designResponsible chemicals and materials development for Europe’s green transition  
Smart textiles – engineering by design 
Wearables have become ‘must have’ fashion – how can we make assistive technology as desirable? 
The most sophisticated device is useless if it is uncomfortable or unattractive. This episode, we are 
looking  at  the  interface  between  design  and  engineering  and  how  the  next  generation  of  smart 
textiles could make assistive tech, invisible. 

Tune in and enjoy: cordis.europa.eu/article/id/442423

The  CORDIScovery  podcast  brings  together  remarkable  people  carrying  out  groundbreaking  EU-
supported  research.  Listen  in  to  find  out  how  they’re  tackling  the  world’s  most  pressing  societal, 
ecological and economic challenges. 

Find out more: cordis.europa.eu/videos-podcasts 

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