ZeroF develops safe-and-sustainable-by-design (SSbD) coating alternatives to replace PFAS compounds in food packaging and upholstery textiles value chains. The developed coatings will have limited water absorption, high oil/grease resistance for packaging and high water and oil repellency for textiles. We propose the development of coatings from reasonably-priced precursors with estimated costs of ca. 0.2-0.4 €/m2 in the final product, which meets the remains under the targeted 20% increase compared to current alternatives. To reach the environmental impact target of >25% improvement, we use renewable feedstock, non-toxic compounds and improve higher process efficiencies. PFASes are replaced by two chemistries, cellulose fatty acid esters for packaging and silane-based organic-inorganic hybrids for textiles. The project includes three work streams: food packaging, upholstery textiles and SSbD analysis. Both food packaging and textile workflows follow a similar path (chemical development, formulation, coating, and validation). The SSbD analysis actively analyses the data regarding environmental impacts (Life Cycle Assessment, Life Cycle Cost, and Environmental Footprint) and toxicology (e.g., hazard and law, Green Toxicology principles). Computational methods are employed to model the toxicology and performance of developed chemistries in-silico, to reduce in-vitro testing and to generate tools for certification and standardization process. Certification and regulatory roadmap are developed to identify future regulatory needs and knowledge gaps. SSbD models are developed within the EC-suggested framework to be easily adapted to other sectors beyond the project scope. A mix of research and industrial partners able to cover both packaging and textile coating value chains including end-users comprises the consortium.

FibreNet will train young fibre-professionals having multidisciplinary view to develop sustainable bio-based fibre products with tailored properties for different application fields in both academic and non-academic sectors. Bio-based fibre products are one of the corner-stones in the European bio-based industry corresponding to 12% of the employment in manufacturing. The industry, including such sectors as packaging, paper, biocomposites and biomedical and hygienic textiles, is currently undergoing a fundamental transformation in order to respond to the competition raised i) by low-wage countries and ii) by fossil-based materials. A common consensus in Europe is that to remain competitive and sustain the bio-based fibre industries in Europe, we should focus on developing new high added value products that have specific functionalities but reduced environmental impacts. In fibre-based products, developing new properties and improving the performance are, however, typically long and time-consuming processes. They usually involve massive and expensive laboratory and pilot-scale trials, which are followed by statistical analyses. There is a particular knowledge gap in understanding the influence of fibre and fibre interface properties on the mechanical properties of the end-product especially when developing products with tailored performance and functionalities. In addition to the research gap, there is a training gap in Europe, as we do not currently have a training programme which would educate professionals having a skill set needed for the fibre-centered approach that we propose in FibreNet. To fill the research and training gaps, we propose here a unique training and research network which provides and further develops knowhow, methods and tools in functionalization, characterization, numerical modelling and production of bio-based fibre products at multiple length scales. The network covers expertise on packaging, paper, biocomposites and biomedical textiles.

VEHICLE will demonstrate novel biotechnological and non-biotechnological technologies for providing and valorising low value sugar streams, thereby enabling significant progress in holistic & sustainable utilisation of lignocellulosic biomass. The main goals for this project are to demonstrate valorisation of dilute hemicellulose-containing prehydrolysate streams from pulp mills, which are currently waste streams with little value. The demonstration will take place by Ecohelix at the Domsjö Fabriker dissolving pulp mill in Sweden. In addition to widen the business and market opportunities of existing biorefinery investments by demonstrating the applicability of their sugar streams in several downstream options. Sugar streams will be provided by Avantium and Graanul from their demonstration and flagship facilities that are currently under construction. Subsequently the use of hemicellulose polymers from prehydrolysis streams in different pulp and paper product applications will be demonstrated by Kemira as well as the conversion of hemicellulose and cellulose based sugars into intermediate and building block chemicals – glycols (MEG and MPG), butanediol and long chain diacids – as well as into specialty sugars (glucosone, fructose) by Metgen, Avantium and Novamont. VEHICLE project will give special attention to secure the market demand and marketability of the produced intermediate molecules by demonstrating their use in a minimum of 5 end applications. In all 3 business cases VEHICLE maximises the weighted % of valorised feedstock, by covering more than one component and more than one product. UVIC will utilize well established LCA methodologies to assess the environmental and economic impacts of the developed products and processes. VEHICLE is based on sound business cases and business plans of three very promising value chains demonstrated by Ecohelix/Kemira, Avantium and Novamont. Combined with the 3 feedstock sources, up to 9 new value chains can be created.