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Mistra SafeChem working for a green, safe and sustainable chemical industry
The goal of the Mistra SafeChem research programme, which is led by IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, is to promote a sustainable chemical industry and reduce the risk of both people and the environment being exposed to hazardous substances. The hope is that this will become the basis for a permanent research platform within green chemistry.
Green chemistry is an approach whereby chemical compounds and syntheses should be designed so that they are as environmentally friendly as possible. It includes a holistic approach to raw materials, chemical management, processes and end products, as well as taking climate impact and energy use into consideration.
The vision for Mistra SafeChem is to promote a safe, sustainable and green chemical industry in Sweden. This is achieved in part by developing new synthesis processes, as well as by developing a toolbox containing models and methods for the risk assessment of chemicals, both before and during production and at user level. The programme is bringing together academia and industry, and will also develop an agenda for green chemistry that can become the basis for a permanent research platform.
AN INITIATIVE SPANNING THE ENTIRE SPECTRUM OF CHEMISTRY An important component for success is the collaboration between materials and organic chemists, toxicologists and environmental chemists, as well as industry and product specialists.
“Mistra SafeChem is a group initiative, where different branches of green and sustainable chemistry come together. This provides the industrial parties with an opportunity to collaborate with academia and to gain an advantage in the field of safe chemical design. This is important, particularly as the EU and other regulatory bodies are constantly raising their expectations on chemical companies,” says Richard Lihammar, assistant programme manager at IVL.
HOLISTIC APPROACH REQUIRED FOR SUCCESS Mistra SafeChem employs a holistic approach to chemicals, which is why interaction within the programme is crucial for achieving results.
“We go into the factory and develop new methods for producing chemicals. By using enzymes and other catalytic systems, we are able to reduce the need for chemicals as input. Another major task is to develop testing methods in order to identify potential problems at an early stage and be able to replace products,” says John Munthe, Vice-President, Research, at IVL and Programme Manager for Mistra SafeChem.
CASE STUDIES ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT IN RELATION TO CARS AND COSMETICS The collaboration within the programme is particularly evident within the ongoing case studies. One such study concerns substances that affect the indoor environment in passenger cars.
Another case study relates to cosmetics. Silicone of various types is often used in skin creams, make-up and hair products. Some of these substances have been shown to have toxic properties. The case study, which is being conducted alongside the H&M retail chain, is focused on identifying alternative substances with lower health and environmental effects that can replace silicones and cyclic siloxanes in cosmetic products.
The toolbox within Mistra SafeChem comes in handy here. It is used to identify both current substances and possible alternatives in terms of their toxicological impact on people and the environment, life cycle mapping and technical performance.
AN ASPECT OF INCREASED ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS The funding body Mistra (the Swedish foundation for strategic environmental research) has had plans in place to launch a chemical programme since 2013. So the question is: why did Mistra SafeChem finally get the go-ahead?
“I think it’s because there has been an general increase in environmental awareness. The public are mainly focusing on the climate issue, but reducing the dangers associated with chemicals is also of great importance. In the transformation that is required to combat climate change, it is also only natural to review the processes and select safer substances where possible,” says Richard Lihammar.
RECORD-BREAKING INVESTMENT BY MISTRA Mistra is funding Mista SafeChem with MSEK 70, making this their largest investment in a single programme. The parties are contributing a further MSEK 30.
Twelve parties representing the entire value chain are participating from industry, ranging from manufacturers to users of chemicals. IVL is coordinating the programme, which is running from 2019 to 2024. Other research partners are Stockholm University, Rise, KTH, the Technical University of Denmark and Chemsec. Name: Richard Lihammar
Age: 36 years
Function at IVL: Works as a project manager at IVL’s Stockholm office. Is the assistant programme manager for Mistra SafeChem, but also works in other projects focusing on hazardous chemical substances and sustainable chemistry.
Background: M.Sc. in Biotechnology and Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry. Joined IVL in May 2020, and has previously worked as a project manager in research, development and production in the polymer and pharmaceuticals industry.
