During 15 to 17 October, the ZeroF Project partners gathered at the University of Bologna (Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di Bologna) to review the project progress made in the development of sustainable, PFAS-free solutions across textiles and packaging since the last meeting in Luxembourg in March of the same year. The meeting focused on presentations by all working groups setting priorities and important next steps for the final year of the project, which will conclude in 2025. The event also served as a platform for sharing knowledge and engaging with stakeholders through a dedicated webinar.
Advancements in PFAS-Free Textile Solutions
The ZeroF Project has made significant progress in enhancing the water resistance of PFAS-free textiles. Water resistance is a key challenge in the textile industry, and the research teams have developed new methods that have achieved excellent water barrier properties. While advancements in water repellency are promising, oil repellency remains an important research focus. Our ZeroF experts continue to explore new ideas in both organic and inorganic chemistry, as well as conducting tests on various fabrics, to address this issue and meet industry needs.
Focus on PFAS-Free Packaging
On the packaging side, the ZeroF Project has made significant strides in developing PFAS-free solutions. Recent results presented at the meeting highlight promising advancements in PFAS-free barrier properties for packaging materials. The research is focused on creating alternative materials that balance performance with safety, ensuring that transitioning to PFAS-free options does not compromise packaging quality. The lab tests have already achieved targeted oil and water barrier performance, with hydrophobic properties surpassing those of PFAS references.
Update on Applying the SSbD Framework in the ZeroF Project
The ZeroF Project follows the Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design (SSbD) framework to ensure that the development of
PFAS-free solutions is safe, sustainable, and aligned with regulatory standards. This framework guides the
systematic evaluation of materials and technologies for their safety, environmental impact, and socio-economic
viability, ensuring that the project’s innovations contribute to a safer and more sustainable future.
A key aspect of the project’s safety efforts is the comprehensive assessment of substances used in both textile and
packaging applications. Detailed inventories of materials, including precursors, catalysts, solvents, and additives,
are created to evaluate their safety and sustainability. To prevent "regrettable substitutions" during production,
toxicity prediction tools are used to fill any data gaps.
By collaborating with eNanoMapper, the project verifies hazard assessments for toxicity, bioaccumulation, and other
safety concerns, ensuring that selected materials are safe and comply with regulations. The eNanoMapper database
plays a crucial role in this process, providing valuable data on chemical properties and potential hazards.
In addition, life cycle assessments (LCAs) are conducted to evaluate the environmental impact of various textile
coating systems and CFAE (Cellulose Fatty Acid Ester) molecules used in packaging. These assessments help select the
most sustainable, low-impact materials.
The project also explores consumer acceptance of PFAS-free alternatives through surveys in Finland, Spain, France,
and Luxembourg. This helps ensure that the innovations developed align with both regulatory requirements and
consumer expectations. Additionally, an impact study is being carried out at the moment, to better understand the
broader factors and the evolution of the market that could shape the future of these solutions over the next decade.
Raising Awareness about PFAS and the ZeroF Project
The communication and dissemination team outlined its efforts to raise awareness about PFAS and the ZeroF Project’s work, including a 10-week video campaign on the project's YouTube channel. This series aims to shed light on critical issues such as the environmental accumulation of PFAS and their potential risks to human health. The campaign is part of a larger initiative in anticipation of a major awareness campaign planned for 2025. You can view it here.
Engaging Stakeholders: The 1st ZeroF Webinar
The meeting concluded with an insightful stakeholder webinar organised by Eddo Da Silva Rosa and Alina
Giesler (LGI) in collaboration with all partners, which brought together a diverse group from both academia and
industry. The webinar provided a detailed update on the progress of the ZeroF Project and featured expert
discussions on important topics, including regulatory issues, research challenges, and developments in PFAS-free
technologies.
Key highlights from the webinar included:
- Miika Nikinmaa (VTT), project coordinator, presented an overview of the ZeroF Project’s achievements and goals for the final year.
- Blanca Suarez-Merino (TEMAS Solutions) provided an in-depth look at the European regulatory landscape for PFAS, offering critical context for the project’s work.
- Ruth Garcia (Leitat), Diana Lau (Fraunhofer ISC), Erno Karjalainen (VTT), and Mika Vaha-Nissi (VTT) shared their insights into overcoming challenges in developing water- and grease-repellent coatings for textiles and packaging.
- Panagiotis Isigonis (LIST) discussed the application of the SSbD framework in PFAS-free coating development, emphasizing the importance of designing for both safety and sustainability.
- Tom Tamlander (VTT) presented findings from a consumer study that explored PFAS awareness, consumer willingness to adopt PFAS-free alternatives, and barriers to adoption.
Expert Panel Discussion
A key highlight of the webinar was a panel discussion moderated by Hille Rautkoski
(VTT), featuring four
experts: Elise Morel (TEMAS Solutions), a safety researcher; Ruth Garcia (Leitat),
a textile expert; Mika Vähä-Nissi
(VTT), a packaging researcher; and Estel Sarrau (E.Cima), a textile industry
specialist. The panel
discussed the key
research challenges in developing PFAS-free solutions and the differences between textiles and packaging. They also
addressed the importance of standardization and the evolving regulatory landscape, with all panelists emphasizing
the critical role of cross-sector collaboration in driving the adoption of PFAS-free alternatives.
If you missed the webinar, you can watch the recording here.
A Step Forward & Next Steps
The successful meeting and webinar reaffirmed the ZeroF Project's commitment to advancing PFAS-free solutions and
fostering collaboration between academia, industry, and regulatory bodies. As the project moves into its final year,
the partners remain dedicated to promoting the adoption of safer, more sustainable alternatives across multiple
sectors.
The ZeroF Project’s efforts have already had a significant impact on the industry, and the next steps will be
crucial in bringing these innovations to scale. As the regulatory environment evolves and consumer awareness grows,
the need for PFAS-free solutions in textiles and packaging will continue to increase. Through continued research,
innovation, and collaboration, the ZeroF Project is helping pave the way toward a PFAS-free future.
Finally, we would like to thank everyone who participated in the meeting and webinar, as well as our host Giampaolo
Campana (UniBo) and Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di Bologna for their warm welcome and excellent organization.