The BIO-SUSHY project, funded by the EU to develop bio-based hydrophobic and oleophobic coatings as sustainable alternatives to PFAS chemicals, has reached an important milestone. From January 20 to 22, 2026, project partners gathered in Vienna for a three-day meeting hosted by the ZSI Centre for Social Innovation. This Month 36 meeting of the four-year project (ending December 2026) brought together the consortium, external advisory board, and the European Commission project officer to review progress, plan final steps, and discuss the revised 2025 Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) framework.
As the project begins its final year, the meeting confirmed BIO-SUSHY’s commitment to providing PFAS-free solutions for markets such as glass cosmetic packaging, textiles, and food-contact materials.
Day 1: Case Studies on Glass Packaging and Textiles
The meeting started with a welcome from ZSI and the project coordinator, then moved on to two main case studies: glass cosmetic packaging and textiles.
- Glass Packaging Case Study: MANO and partners led sessions on using BIO-SUSHY’s PFAS-free coatings on glass. They discussed material performance, toxicity, and LCSA, focusing on water repellency and durability while maintaining safety.
- Textile Case Study: APPLUS RESCOLL, IFTH, and SiKEMIA shared updates on hydrophobic textiles. They demonstrated a PFAS-free polyester textile that kept a perfect 5/5 spray score after washing, showing strong water repellency. This meets the demand for sustainable, non-toxic options in clothing and technical fabrics.
These sessions showed BIO-SUSHY’s progress in replacing forever chemicals with bio-based alternatives, in accordance with EU PFAS regulations and promoting safer products.
Day 2: Food Trays Case Study and Technical Workshop on SSbD Framework
On Day 2, the group continued by focusing on the food tray case study and exploring regulatory changes in detail.
- Food Tray Case Study: WOODKPLUS and partners presented thermoforming trials with bio-based thermoplastic powders such as polybutylene succinate (PBS) with different lignin content and PHBH. The results showed a Cobb test of under 10 g/m² for water resistance after two hours and a top KIT rating of 12 for grease resistance.
- Hands-On Training and Modeling: Partner Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche conducted a practical session on physics-based modeling of monomers and copolymers. Attendees explored tools for simulating coating behavior, including water and oil contact angle measurements via droplet-deposition demos. A free online training session on modeling will launch soon, open to all interested in sustainable chemistry.
The day ended with a technical workshop led by 7P9 (Seven Past Nine) focusing on the revised 2025 SSbD framework. Participants conducted scoping analyses to evaluate its impact on BIO-SUSHY, ensuring project outputs remain compliant and forward-thinking.
Day 3: Stakeholder Workshop and Strategic Wrap-Up
The last day began with a stakeholder workshop called “Stakeholder Insights for BIO-SUSHY, BIO-SUSHY Insights for Stakeholders.” Four expert speakers shared different views on PFAS-free innovations and their impact on society.
Session 1: PFAS-Free Solutions – Current State and Applications
- Dr. Johannes Zipfel (DELSCI GmbH): Presented “PFAS-Free Food Packaging: Turning a Constraint into a Catalyst,” discussing how regulatory forces stimulate innovation in safe, effective alternatives.
- David De Smet, PhD (Centexbel): Explored “PFAS and Their Alternatives in Textiles,” illustrating practical applications and performance benchmarks for non-toxic hydrophobic fabrics.
Session 2: Societal Perspectives, Risk Perception, and Consumer Safety
- Ellise Suffill, PhD (University of Vienna): Explored “Measuring PFAS Risk Perception via Targeted Labelling & Communication,” emphasizing strategies to build consumer trust through transparent information.
- Dr. DI Birgit Schiller (Verein für Konsumenteninformation): Addressed “PFAS in Consumer Goods – Raising Awareness About Occurrence of PFAS,” promoting education to empower educated decisions and reduce exposure risks.
The workshop led to discussions about connecting scientific innovations with public awareness and social acceptance, which is key for the broad adoption of BIO-SUSHY technologies.
In the afternoon, AXIA and UNE led sessions on dissemination, communication, exploitation, and standardization, outlining plans to maximize project impact. The day ended with a General Assembly led by the project coordinator, during which procedures were reviewed and key conclusions drawn.
Looking Ahead: BIO-SUSHY’s Path to Sustainable Impact
This Month 36 meeting celebrated BIO-SUSHY’s progress and set a clear plan for the final 12 months. With strong results from case studies and alignment with the SSbD framework, the project is ready to deliver scalable, PFAS-free hydrophobic coatings to help Europe’s green transition.
We invite industry professionals, researchers, and policymakers to stay connected. Visit www.bio-sushy.eu for updates, resources, and news about events like the free modeling training. Follow us on social media for real-time updates on bio-based materials, sustainable packaging, and PFAS alternatives.
