The consortium has successfully met several objectives in the first reporting period, defining key requirements and developing novel PFAS-free coating formulations.
A multitude of materials were meticulously tested to identify the optimal candidates for textile application. Various formulation parameters, chemical modification methods and application techniques were assessed to optimize the coating process. The initial requirements were met by the development and application of three distinct coatings, comprising natural or chemically modified natural compounds in a polysaccharide matrix. The second development line focuses on coatings for food packaging machines, i.e. coatings on metal. Promising outcomes in adhesion and low surface free-energy, deduced from water (WCA) and oil contact angle (HCA) measurements, were achieved by evaluating various formulations via the sol-gel process. Finally for the glass coating sector, the requirements of transparent, uniform and defect-free sols have been met with promising water contact angle values. All the formulations developed in this first block of the project are currently being upscaled to be implemented by the end-users later in the project.
The consortium also set out to support the development of SSbD products harnessing the power of mathematical and computational tools. In this line, two distinct models were developed: (1) to predict the deposition of particles in the human lung based on a particle size distribution, and (2) to predict the environmental concentration of pollutants (e.g. in water, air and soil), potentially emitted from the production of PROPLANET coatings. Furthermore, first-principles-based simulations assessed the interaction of chemical compounds with water or oil at a molecular level. The conjunction of these simulations with a simple experiment led to the successful correlation between simulations and tangible parameters, i.e. the WCA and HCA. Moreover, data-driven methods and AI have been used with the objective to merge the computational results in an IT tool offering insights into PROPLANET coatings’ performance, and their toxicological and environmental impact. The toxicological aspects of the coatings have been assessed based on available toxicity and safety information as well as in vitro testing. Ultimately, the tool’s database has been implemented, deployed, and connected to its first prototype.
Significant progress has been achieved in the SSbD aspects of the PROPLANET developments. Safety and sustainability criteria have been defined at the beginning of PROPLANET products developments. The value chain for PROPLANET coatings has been mapped, making it possible to indicate eco-design routes to guide the development of materials. The Life Cycle Sustainable Assessment methodology has been defined to assess the three pillars of sustainability for PROPLANET products. The mapped value chain has been studied to gain material life cycle insight and develop strategies for the end-of-life products.
Moreover, the consortium compiled information on regulations, standards, and certifications relevant for the PROPLANET coatings. This was also supported by the mapping of toxicological requirements for the developed coatings which led to a strategy for hazard and safety assessments.
Finally, communication efforts focused on establishing the project's identity through the creation of templates, printed materials, and social media accounts, as well as the official webpage. Promoting PROPLANET’s progress through major events, workshops and scientific articles was at the forefront of our activities. The NoPFAS cluster formed by our sister projects as well as communication with the IRISS CSA action project was established. Exploitation activities and IPR management included market analysis, updating the key exploitable results, patent analysis, and developing strategies to maximize the impact and adoption of the project's innovations.
