IDENER.AI, as coordinator of the PROPLANET project, was invited to attend the “Safe and Sustainable by Design: Accelerating the Industrial Transition” conference, held in Brussels, Belgium. The event brought together the European SSbD community, including industry leaders, policymakers, researchers and innovators from across Europe.

PROPLANET’s participation was a natural fit given the project’s direct alignment with the SSbD framework. The project aims to replace existing PFAS-type coatings by designing and optimising three innovative bio-based solutions: a hydrophobic and oleophobic coating, a non-stick and anticorrosion protection coating, and a hybrid anti-soiling and anti-reflecting coating.

The conference addressed several key topics, including the updated European Commission Recommendation on SSbD chemicals and materials, practical insights and success stories from Horizon Europe projects, and strategies to help companies develop, test and scale up SSbD innovations. Recommendations to address current gaps in the field of materials science were also submitted to the European Commission for consideration.

Beyond the formal sessions, the event provided valuable networking opportunities that allowed participants to strengthen connections across the European SSbD community.