Within the NWA programme "Towards a practical Safe-by-Design approach for chemical products and processes", three consortia will research and develop an applicable Safe-by-Design approach. The research has been awarded a total of approximately € 2.7 million. This research programme is a collaboration between the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment and NWO.
Safe-by-Design is an iterative, interactive, interdisciplinary design process in which safety and health are considered as central values in frameworks from an early stage of development and throughout the design process, so that the resulting products and processes are safer for people and the environment. Mutual learning is central to this programme: the early consideration of health and environmental effects requires not only fundamental chemical and toxicological knowledge, but also hands-on knowledge of production processes, the future use of the substances and processes and their effects during the life cycle. The intended impact of this research programme goes beyond joint learning between consortium partners - it is also about sharing what has been learned in such a way that it can help other developers and researchers.
A Safe-by-Design approach requires anticipatory safety and health awareness on the part of process and product developers, researchers and the management of companies that make investment decisions. It calls for design choices based on critical consideration of potential adverse effects during the life cycle of the intended chemical product or process, including social and ethical dimensions.
In the coming months, the three awarded projects will also jointly develop one additional application for an overarching linking project, in which the findings of the three case projects will be synthesised and disseminated more widely.
Safety Delta Nederland is the facilitator of one of the projects:
Integral Safe and Sustainable-by-Design Plasma Process for Acrylonitrile Production (ISPA)
Project Manager: Prof. Dr. G.J. van Rooij, Maastricht University
Consortium: MU, RU, TNO, ANQORE, Sitech, SDN
The transition to a sustainable society brings major challenges for the Dutch chemical industry. At present, safety considerations and economies of scale dictate a landscape of large plants clustered on industrial sites. Products include fertilisers, plastics and vaccine carrier proteins and are mostly of fossil origin. A roadmap to guide the industry through the sustainability transition while maintaining economic viability and at least the existing level of safety does not yet exist due to the lack of suitable technology. This work investigates a possible solution for the common building block acrylonitrile.
Below is information on the two other projects that the umbrella liaison project is set up with:
Putting into Practice Integrated TOols to Select and Produce Safe and Sustainable alternatives for problematic Persistent and Mobile Toxic Substances (TOSS)
Project Manager: Prof. Dr. A.P. van Wezel, University of Amsterdam
Consortium: UvA, WUR, TUD, RIVM, CWTS, Rathenau, VEWIN, VNCI, Croda International
Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design (SSbD) is a promising approach to the design of new chemicals. However, there is currently a lack of good tools to assist in the selection of possible SSbD alternatives that can perform the desired and essential function in given applications. In this proposal we focus on alternatives for Persistent, Mobile and Toxic substances, which cause problems in the water cycle and for human and environmental health. This TOSS project will develop integrated tools to select and produce SSbD alternatives, and will gain practical experience with the participation of stakeholders, thus formulating lessons for industry, research and policy.
Safe-by-Design Circular Products
Project Manager: Prof. Dr. A .R. Balkenende, Delft University of Technology
Consortium: TUD, LU, RIVM, PBL, Accenture, Spark, Circo, Erasmus MC, Philips Domestic Applications, Philips Healthcare, NPK
Designing safe products that fit into a circular economy is the goal of the 'Safe-by-design Circular Products' project. Too often, we see substances from products entering the environment and endangering our health. That is why sustainability, safety, health and recycling must be considered when designing products. This project will develop a method that takes all these issues into account. Four subjects are being studied (hospital mattress, LCD monitor, silicone baking moulds and biodegradable plastic). This will ultimately lead to better health and a cleaner environment.
12 July 2022
