Contributions on the development, implementation and assessment of SSbD alternatives to PFASs in the packaging industrial sector

Needs identification “(re)DESIGN” Needs identification “(re)DESIGN” Funded by the European Union under the GA number 101091464. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA). Neither the European Union nor HaDEA can be held responsible for them. SUSTAINABLE SURFACE PROTECTION BY GLASS-LIKE HYBRID AND BIOMATERIALS COATINGS Contributions on the development, implementation and assessment of SSbD alternatives to PFASs in the packaging industrial sector Project video María Rivero1, Pau Camilleri1, Javier Alcodori1, Arantxa Ballesteros1 1Processes and Products Safety Unit. Technological Institute of Packaging, Transport and Logistics (ITENE), Paterna, Spain E-mail contact: María Rivero [email protected] Introduction Objective Perand polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of over 4,700 man-made chemicals known for their waterand oilrepellent properties. Often called "forever chemicals," PFAS are highly persistent in both the environment and the human body, accumulating over time. They are toxic even at extremely low levels, posing significant health risks. PFAS are commonly used in surface treatments, such as non-stick cookware or food-contact coatings on paper or cardboard. While PFAS-free alternatives are available, they often do not meet market demands for long-term repellency, typically being hydrophobic but not oleophobic, which limits their broader adoption. SSbD Methodology The BIO-SUSHY project aims at developing innovative coating solutions that will be designed to meet the policy ambition of the EU’s chemical strategy for sustainability toward a toxic free environment. Under the scope of the project, bio-based thermoplastic powder coating formulations for the packaging industrial sector will be developed, following the Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) methodology to unsure safety and environmental performances. The main limitation of this methodology nowadays is the lack of data, which makes it challenging to meet several endpoints required to complete the assessment. To address this data gap, a series of toxicological tests will be conducted, covering key endpoints and enabling the completion of a full SSbD assessment. Insert event logo The BIO-SUSHY project represents a proactive step toward aligning innovative coating technologies with the EU's sustainability and safety goals. By developing bio-based PFAS-free coatings and applying an iterative SSbD framework, the project will not only advance environmentally responsible solutions for the packaging industry but also contribute to improving current assessment methodologies. Through the generation of new toxicological data, the project will fill critical knowledge gaps, ensuring that the coatings developed are both safe for human health and sustainable for the environment. Packaging Ind. Sector. Food Cosmetics Results Step 1 Intrinsic Hazardous properties. •Human health, environmental and physical hazards. Step 2 Occupational health safety. •Combination of chemical/material hazards, exposure and risk management measures. Step 3 Risks/hazards of the final application •Exposure and related toxicity impacts on human health and environment. Step 4 Environmental sustainability assessment. •Environmental sustainability aspects of the chemical/material. Step 5 Social and economic sustainability assesment. Needs identification “(re)DESIGN” ✓Alternative coatings ✓PFAS-free Main limitation LACK OF DATA DATA GENERATION SSbD Framework for advanced PFA-free coatings MTT test Cell lines: (inhalation) A549, (dermal) HaCaT, (gastrointestinal) CaCo-2 ✓Acute toxicity ✓Genotoxicity Commet assay test (OECD 489) ELISAtest (OECD 422E) ✓Skin Sensititation @BIO-SUSHY Project @BIO-SUSHY Project www.bio-sushy.eu [email protected]