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Forskare med utrustning och vetenskapliga experiment, laboratorieglas som innehåller kemisk vätska.

CheMatSustain finds innovative methods to enhance safety and sustainability

The mission of CheMatSustain is to lead the way for innovative methods for safety and sustainability assessments of chemicals and materials across the European Union. The project will develop cutting-edge techniques in toxicity testing and hazard, risk and life cycle assessment.

The primary aim of the CheMatSustain project is to enhance and standardize screening and testing methods, protocols, and assessments for chemicals and (nano)materials. The objective is to create a set of tools that are robust, reliable, and efficient. The project aims to improve the safety and sustainability of these substances, ensuring a more streamlined and effective approach to hazard, risk, and sustainability evaluations.

CheMatSustain is funded by the Horizon Europe Programme of the European Union. The consortium comprises ten scientific partners from seven EU countries, collaborates with one esteemed UK associate partner and is led by the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences.

The methodology of the project consists of eight steps:

  1. Identification and selection of four sets of chemicals, representing advanced groups of CNMs, an abbreviation which in this project stands for chemicals and/or materials/(nano)materials. Rigorous tests will assess their chemical and physical attributes.
  2. Conducting appropriate pilot experiments and developing more realistic in vitro models.
  3. Providing a comprehensive understanding of the CNMs’ properties and behaviour through high-resolution analysis.
  4. Delivery of reliable data supported by computational modelling.
  5. Evaluating the safety and sustainability of the selected CNMs by developing Safe and sustainable by design criteria, including a holistic approach to assessing their entire life cycle. (This task is co-led by IVL.)
  6. Developing harmonized standardized test methods suitable for regulatory contexts.
  7. Enhance efficiency and effectiveness in CNMs development.
  8. Fostering the uptake of the new methods among academia, public authorities, and the private sector.

Read more on the project webpage Chematsustain.eu External link, opens in new window.

The project CheMatSustain has received funding under No. 101137990 from the European Union under the Horizon Europe Programme.

Project facts

  • Project name: Implementing Innovative Methods for Safety and Sustainability Assessments of Chemicals and Materials Particularly at Nano Level in the European Union (CheMatSustain)
  • Total budget: 4,9 Million Euro
  • Funded by: Horizon Europe
  • Project partners: University of Applied Sciences Hamburg, University of Lodz, Eurskem BV, Lodz University of Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Alma Mater Studiorum – Universita di Bologna, ProtoQSAR, Universitá degli studi di Urbino Carlo Bo, IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, Alfred Wegener Institut, Manchester Metropolitan University
  • Period: 2024 - 2027

Contributes to the UN Global Goals

  • 3. Good health and well-being
  • 6. Clean water and sanitation
  • 9. Industry, innovation and infrastructure
  • 12. Responsible consumtion and production