BIO-TEXTILE-SSbD · Safe and sustainable by design bio-based compounds for the next generation of liquid repellent textile coatings

Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a series of widely used compounds yet are highly problematic due to their toxicity and environmental persistence. Incoming environmental legislation is set to heavily restrict the use of these compounds, therefore there is a pressing need for safe and sustainable coatings that offer comparable liquid repelling properties. In this context the BIO-TEXTILE-SSbD project: “Safe and sustainable by design bio-based compounds for the next generation of liquid repellent textile coatings”, will utilise computational modelling methods to design and synthesise fully biobased hydrophobic and oleophobic coatings for textile applications, assessing the material properties, biodegradability and ecotoxicology of these materials. The researcher will undertake a thorough training programme centred on safety and sustainability by design (SSbD), incorporating key aspects including ecotoxicology, biodegradability, bio-based feedstocks and sustainable synthesis routes, resulting in a researcher who integrates SSbD principles in every aspect of their research. Ultimately, the aim of this project is to use Nature inspired solutions to contribute towards improving sustainability in the many EU industries that currently use PFAS, with a primary focus on textiles. As sustainable liquid repellent coatings become increasingly available, PFAS use and pollution will decrease, improving the health of both people and ecosystems.