Horizon Europe projects unite to scale up safe and sustainable chemicals design

On 20 March 2026, Silke Obst (HaDEA B.3, Industry) and Carsten Schierenbeck, Head of Unit in RTD.E.3, jointly opened the Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) Networking of Horizon Europe Projects.

She highlighted the importance of collaboration among projects, industry representatives and policymakers to maximise the impact of SSbD. HaDEA is committed to continuing pioneering SSbD developments and building a safer and more sustainable Europe.

The event took place at a pivotal moment, following the Commission’s adoption of a revised SSbD framework, which aims to steer the development of chemicals and materials that are safe for human health and environmentally sustainable throughout their lifecycle. SSbD is a voluntary, premarket approach that integrates safety and sustainability considerations from the earliest design stages, identifying and mitigating risks and environmental impacts early in the innovation process. 

From framework to practice

Projects such as PARC toolbox, SSbD4CheM and ToxBox demonstrated how assessment methodologies and toolboxes are being developed to support decision-making and lifecycle analysis. In parallel, initiatives like INSIGHT and SUNRISE showcased approaches to measuring the broader impacts of safe and sustainable chemicals.

Another strong theme was digitalisation, with projects including MaterialCommons and M2DESCO exploring how data platforms and computational models can enable predictive, data-driven design of safer materials.

Advancing materials and substitution

Concrete industrial applications were proposed, from polymer innovation to advanced coatings and engineered surfaces. Projects such as REPurpose, SURPASS and PROPLANET illustrated how SSbD principles are being embedded into the design of next-generation materials.

At the same time, a dedicated cluster of projects—including PLANETS, RADAR and Alchemisst—focused on substituting hazardous substances with safer alternatives, a key objective of the EU chemicals policy framework.

Bio-based innovation also featured prominently. Initiatives like BioSusTex and SURFTOGREEN demonstrated how SSbD can support the transition to a circular bioeconomy, reducing reliance on fossil-based inputs while maintaining performance and safety.

Building an ecosystem for SSbD

Beyond individual projects, the event underscored the importance of coordination and skills. Cross-cutting initiatives such as IRISS, ChemSkill and the forthcoming EU Chemicals Innovation and Substitution Hubs aim to accelerate uptake of SSbD across industry, particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises.

This reflects a broader ambition: to move SSbD from a conceptual framework to a widely adopted innovation standard across Europe. As highlighted during the discussions, widespread uptake will be essential to fully realise its benefits for health, environment and industrial competitiveness. 

A cornerstone of Europe’s industrial transition

By bringing together diverse projects across the SSbD value chain—from data and assessment tools to materials innovation and substitution—the event illustrated how EU research funding is supporting a systemic shift in chemical design.

With the revised framework now in place, stakeholders emphasised that the next phase will focus on scaling implementation, ensuring that industry embeds safety and sustainability from the start, not as afterthoughts, but as fundamental design principles for Europe’s future industries.