The aim of DESIDERATA is to test and validate the the ECs SSbD framework on selected industrial Use Cases that are already at TRL4 and which will aim at substituting Substances of Concern (SoC) with surfactant, plasticising and flame retardant properties. The twofold aim will firstly generate a remarkable impact, by advancing industrial value chains in the domain of construction, injection moulding, 3D printing, etc., by providing tangible advancement for SoC substitution for which there are no currently available solutions on the market. Secondly, the lessons learnt will support policymakers in continuing shaping the SSbD framework, improving its applicability and fostering its wider application in the European chemical and material manufacturing sector. To better track the progress of the project, 5 objectives have been proposed linked to the expected outcomes of the project and the scope of the topic: Obj1. Demonstration and proof of concept of the SSbD framework, achieving policy engagement; Obj2. Development of new SSbD compliant substances and materials; Obj3. Enhancing interoperability for data sharing across value chains; Obj4. Promoting safer and sustainable substances across value chains; Obj5. Maximising the impact of the project: A Collaborative Approach with Industry and Citizens. To achieve the objectives, DESIDERATA will cover a period of 48 months, and its performance will be structured into 9 Work Packages (WPs). These include the project consortium management (WP1), supported by the interoperability and data management (WP7), the stakeholder and policy engagement (WP8) and the dissemination & communication (WP9) of the results obtained. The scientific and technical activities are undertaken in WPs 2 to 6, which include the Use Cases design and implementation (WP2), Sustainability Assessment (WP3), Environmental Safety (WP4), the SSbD framework assessment, demonstration and refinement (WP5) and the Innovation management (WP6).

SSbD4ChEM brings together stakeholders from industry, government, academia, and civil society to develop and promote best practices for safe and sustainable product and process design, through demonstration in 3 case studies. SSbD4CheM aims to meet the EU's strategic objectives for digital, enabling, and emerging technologies, sectors, and value chains by developing a comprehensive Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) framework that uses new science-based approaches to identify and address potential hazards and risks, and innovative technologies to support the design of safer and more sustainable products and processes. SSbD4CheM objectives include: 1) SSbD framework to facilitate development of the next generation of chemicals and materials applicable to renewable composites in automotive value chain, PFAS-free coatings for textile and cellulose nanofibers as additive in cosmetics to replace plastic microbeads, 2) Development of efficient hazard screening tools for alternative assessment of next generation chemicals/materials/products combining in silico tools and multicriteria analysis, 3) Advanced explorative ex-ante LCA method supported by molecular and data-driven modelling to fill data gaps for (novel) materials and chemicals, 4) Integration of chemical/(nano-)material characterization methods to assess products environmental safety, quantify emissions to support occupational and consumer safety limits, 5) Development of alternative, in vitro models, as part of New Approach Methodologies for adequate exposure scenarios, 6) Harmonization and validation of analytical and toxicological methods for proposition to regulatory and standardization bodies to contribute to the development of new standards and facilitate market acceptance of SSbD4CheM project results, and 7) Enhance overall SSbD4CheM impact through stakeholder engagement, training, dissemination and exploitation and drive industrial innovation.

CRUSADE upscales novel technologies to TRL7 integrated in a universal hydrometallurgical method to recycle up to 500 tn/year of spent automotive components (autocatalysts, fuel cells, batteries and printed circuit boards) from end-of-life vehicles and recover ca 40 tn/year of critical raw materials (Cu, C, Co, Mn, Ni, Pt, Pd, Rh, Li, Ru) at commercial specifications. The project leverages predeveloped technologies to establish a market ready pilot unit utilising novel concepts for material tracing using blockchain (AKO, SAISLAB, ENTE) and pan European collection network establishment from the pioneers of the automotive components manufacturers (SUN, ADV, CRF, MONO, ACU) which guarantee the long term sustainable operation of the unit. The material processing covers the whole chain from pre-treatment using validated technologies from the experts on the CRMs recovery (MONO, TUBAF, KUL) and upstream processing using a microwave assisted leaching methodology enabling a 15-80% lower CO2 emission process (depending on the feed), compared to commercial processing. High specification market ready materials are prepared as outputs of the project undergoing a downstream purification and recovery process using solvent extraction and electrowinning, guided by industrial standards for end-use applications, while validated and benchmarked during the course of the project in new automotive products. The processing is automated aiming to a 15% time reduction compared to current processes with the use of an industrial robot and artificial technology guiding the sorting and the hydrometallurgical treatment (Industry 4.0 concept). The materials are commercialised at 15% lower price compared to market standards due to the automated innovative cost efficient processing, CAPEX/OPEX reaching max 70% of product cost (average 30% gross profit margin depending on feed).

The AlchemiSSts project will demonstrate the applicability of the Safe by Design (SSbD) framework aiming at developing and implementing safer and more sustainable alternatives to surfactants, plasticizers, and flame retardants that, being present in daily life products pose a high risk for the human health and the environment, thus considered substances of very high concern (SVHC). To this end, up to seven case studies, accounting with the relevant actors in the value chain are proposed in the project, and they will serve as proof of concept to test the SSbD framework against within its different 5 steps. The general objective of the project will be achieved by addressing specific goals such as the development of the alternative substances itself, the compilation of robust and reliable evidence for a Proof of Concept of the SSbD framework, the development of a certification methodology promoting the implementation of the SSbD concept in the industrial network. Another key pillar of AlchemiSSts project relies on the implementation of integrated approaches and tools to support safety, sustainability and social assessment based on interoperable FAIR data and models. In addition, robust data on sustainability indicators and information for assessing the impact of the outcomes of the project towards a suite of zero pollution targets will be delivered for each case. For all these relevant aspects, AlchemiSSts will be assisted by stakeholders to ensure social acceptance and economic of the foreseen innovative advance materials.