Nearly 9 Million Euros Allocated for the Substitution of Hazardous Chemicals in Belgium.

With its desire to accelerate the transition to a circular economy in Belgium, the FPS Economy has selected nine projects as part of the BBBC 3 call for proposals “Substitution of Hazardous Substances”. This call for proposals aims to promote innovation in the market for chemicals, technologies and/or alternative products that eliminate the use or presence of substances of concern in a product. The total amount of funding from the European NextGenerationEU fund is nearly 9 million euros.

Focus on the Nine Winners

Here are a few examples that illustrate the diversity of the selected approaches:

• The LEGACY project (led by VITO): replacing fossil-based bisphenols (harmful chemical components) in construction coatings with bio-based alternatives, while ensuring the same strength and durability.
• The SSbD4SME project (also led by VITO): developing a digital tool for SMEs to assess their products according to the “Safe & Sustainable by Design” approach.
• The BIOSUPHYOL project (led by Celabor and Sirris): developing bio-based products (> 80%) without PFAS for paper/cardboard and textile packaging.
• The CLEANLUBE project (led by Sopura): designing a range of lubricants for food production lines that are both effective and safe for health and the environment, and made from more sustainable raw materials.
• The PFAS-FREE project (led by Centexbel with UCLouvain, ULiège, UGent): developing new textile treatments that repel water as effectively as PFAS, but without risks to health or the environment.
• The BisGO project (led by Sciensano with KU Leuven and UGent): developing a safer and renewable alternative to bisphenols used in plastics, while testing its impact on health and the environment from the outset to avoid future risks.
• The FONT project: “Flame retardants from Natural feedstocks for Textile” (led by Apeiron-Team with KU Leuven, Centexbel, CTF2000): testing a new method to develop safe, sustainable and recyclable flame retardants for textiles from the outset, using bio-based materials.
• The Aquaveg project (led by Emulco): replacing PFAS and waxes in coatings for packaging or panels, with high recycling potential and reduced CO₂ emissions.
• The CIRCATEX project (led by Sirris / Capilano, Demeyere, UGent): developing a circular alternative to PFAS-based non-stick coatings for frying pans and skis, using laser texturing and innovative treatments, without adding materials and allowing multiple reuses.

These projects cover a variety of sectors (chemicals, packaging, textiles, lubricants, technical coatings) and demonstrate the federal government's commitment to safer and more sustainable chemistry. 

Why This Selection?

These initiatives are part of the objective to replace substances of concern (PFAS, endocrine disruptors, and a list of 12 other priority substances for Belgium).
They aim to support both large companies as well as SMEs, start-ups, and research centers.

What Happens Next?

The projects were launched in the summer 2024 and will run until July 2026.
Each winning project is the subject of a detailed article presenting its objectives, partners, technologies, and expected results. 
Monitoring these projects will enable feedback and best practices to be highlighted and used as examples of the transition to sustainable chemistry.

For More Information

To read the detailed articles on the nine winning projects, please go to the “Belgium Builds Back Circular 3: Substitution of Hazardous Substances” webpage on the FPS Economy website.