About BIOSAFIRE Project
BIOSAFIRE goes back to nature to upgrade lignins and tannins, nature’s flame retardants, and unlock them for industrial application of biosbased flame retardants. Starting from already existing pilot plants, BIOSAFIRE upscales and broadens the available feedstocks to provide flame retardant in powder formats for five applications in four different sectors: naval, railway, household goods and wood coatings.
Featuring the same fire retardancy performance as chosen toxic benchmarks and enhancing safety and sustainability with an 80% of biobased content, BIOSAFIRE aspires to not only demonstrate its targets on 5 use cases, but also to create a material portfolio and a set of processing guidelines to enhance flame retardants substitution by the industry. This will open the possibility for biobased resins to exhibit good fire retardant properties.
Objectives
01
Test & validate the JRC SSbD framework
BIOSAFIRE will test the SSbD framework throughout different stages of material development, showing how it works in real-life situations—from early lab work to near-commercial scale.
The project will use a step-by-step (tiered) approach, applying the framework at key points in the innovation process. Insights gained from this work will be shared with the European Commission, the Joint Research Centre (JRC), and the broader SSbD community. Expected results: Apply the SSbD framework at least twice, including at industrial scale (TRL7). Share key lessons learned and recommendations for the flame retardant sector.
The project will use a step-by-step (tiered) approach, applying the framework at key points in the innovation process. Insights gained from this work will be shared with the European Commission, the Joint Research Centre (JRC), and the broader SSbD community. Expected results: Apply the SSbD framework at least twice, including at industrial scale (TRL7). Share key lessons learned and recommendations for the flame retardant sector.
02
Development and upscale of new safe & sustainable biobased flame retardants
BIOSAFIRE will develop innovative flame retardants using natural, bio-based materials like lignins and tannins—compounds already known for their fire-resistant properties.
These new materials will be assessed using the SSbD framework at different stages to ensure they’re both safe and effective. The project will work with partners across the value chain to scale these materials up to TRL7 and test them in five real-world applications.
Expected results:
- Develop and demonstrate bio-based flame retardants that meet safety and sustainability goals.
- Test the materials in five practical applications, paving the way for market readiness.
Expected results:
- Develop and demonstrate bio-based flame retardants that meet safety and sustainability goals.
- Test the materials in five practical applications, paving the way for market readiness.
03
Decision-Making & Data Sharing acrochainss the value
The project will improve how data is shared and how design decisions are made, so that safe and sustainable choices become the norm across the entire supply chain.
How we’ll do it:
A robust Data Management Plan will be implemented using FAIR principles to make data open and accessible. BIOSAFIRE will also build on existing tools, collaborate with EU initiatives like PARC and SUNSHINE, and develop a software tool to assess health, environmental, social, and economic impacts.
Expected results:
- A decision-making toolbox to guide the replacement of harmful flame retardants.
- A new approach to bring SSbD thinking into early-stage industrial design.
- A user-friendly software tool for assessing and comparing material options.
Expected results:
- A decision-making toolbox to guide the replacement of harmful flame retardants.
- A new approach to bring SSbD thinking into early-stage industrial design.
- A user-friendly software tool for assessing and comparing material options.
04
Tech & Socio-Economic Analysis for Material Commercialisation
BIOSAFIRE will demonstrate the commercial potential of its new flame retardants and ensure they’re ready for real-world use.
How we’ll do it:
The project will create detailed business plans for five different applications—including uses in the rail, naval, wood coating, and home appliance sectors. It will also design a full-scale production process and analyze the full value chain, including sustainability and market potential.
Expected results:
- Five business plans across four sectors.
- A techno-economic plan for scaling up to TRL8.
- A guide for integrating the new flame retardants into different materials, especially biobased ones.
- Exploitation strategies and agreements for commercialization.
Expected results:
- Five business plans across four sectors.
- A techno-economic plan for scaling up to TRL8.
- A guide for integrating the new flame retardants into different materials, especially biobased ones.
- Exploitation strategies and agreements for commercialization.
05
Stakeholder Engagement for SSbD Material
BIOSAFIRE wants to make sure that the shift toward safer and more sustainable materials is supported by industries, policymakers, and society at large.
How we’ll do it:
Through interviews, workshops, and public consultations, the project will understand different stakeholders’ needs and concerns. It will offer webinars, expert-led trainings, and educational sessions to raise awareness of the SSbD approach. Feedback will be continuously gathered to adjust the project’s outreach and ensure it's meeting real societal needs.
Expected results:
- A training programme to help the public and professionals understand and apply SSbD principles.
- At least 100 people trained during the project.
Expected results:
- A training programme to help the public and professionals understand and apply SSbD principles.
- At least 100 people trained during the project.
Project Partners
