EU R&D projects target PIN FRs

A number of EU-funded R&D projects underway are looking at PIN flame retardant developments and solutions.

Biosafire looks at functionalising lignin and tannin to develop industrially applicable biobased PIN flame retardants, targeting naval, rail, household goods and wood coating applications. The project aims to test and validate the EU JRC framework for “Safe and Sustainable by Design” for flame retardants.

Thermofire will research use of bio-based PIN flame retardants in biobased thermoplastic composites. The project includes development by Arkema of additive PIN FRs for polyamide PA11 by incorporating phosphorus-containing monomers. Avanzare are developing PIN FR solutions for natural fibres based on graphene and wood derived molecules.

FireDesign aims to use machine-learning and genetic algorithms to  design new phosphorus PIN FRs for epoxy resins, then synthetise and test the modelled molecules.

PLANETS, with pinfa Members as partners, will particularly look for Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) PIN flame retardants for polyurethane foams (see pinfa Newsletter n°170).

DESIDERATA is also looking at SSbD flame retardants, plasticisers and surfactants, in particular for construction materials, 3D-printing and injection molding of plastics components.

Alchemissts is a third project SSbD flame retardants, plasticisers and surfactants, in particular for lubricants and metalworking fluids, insulation foams, paints, battery cases and sports mats.

FireSpace is looking at fire safety in space exploration, in particular the development of flame-retardant materials and their performance in spacecraft and zero-gravity.

Micro-Insert aims to use fungi to biologically mineralise wood, by generating calcium carbonate, to mineralise wood and so improve fire resistance.

BioPhenom will research functionalised bio-based isolated biophenols as intumescent flame retardants for wood, thermoset and thermoplastic materials.

Biosafire: “Development and manufacture of new, more sustainable and safer materials using biobased functionalised additives based on lignin and tannins to improve fire resistance”, EU Horizon Europe, 2024-2028 https://www.biosafire.eu/

Thermofire: “Bio-based fire-retardant thermoplastic composites reinforced with natural fibres”, EU Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking, 2023-2027 https://www.thermofire-project.eu/

FireDesign: “New generation advanced phosphorus-containing flame retardants designed via machine learning and genetic algorithm”, EU Horizon Marie-Curie, 2025-2027 https://materials.imdea.org/projects/firedesign-new-generation-advanced-phosphorus-containing-flame-retardants-designed-via-machine-learning-and-genetic-algorithm/

PLANETS: “Plasticizers, flame-retardants and surfactANts: new alternatives validating the safE and susTainable by deSign approach”, EU Horizon Europe 2024-2028 https://www.project-planets.eu/

DESIDERATA: “Integrated Pathways: Advancing Safe and Sustainable by Design Material Innovation through Collaborative Wisdom”, Horizon Europe 2025-2028 https://www.desiderata-project.eu/

Alchemissts: “Alternative Chemicals and Materials integrating Safety, Sustainability, new Production technologies and Socio-economic aspects”, EU Horizon Europe 2024-2028 https://www.alchemissts-project.eu/

FireSpace “Fire safety in space exploration”, EU Horizon Europe – ERC -European Research Council), 2026-2032 https://research.ugent.be/web/result/project/3d7b87b1-cd5d-4727-ab94-4c681900b457/details/en#

Micro-Insert “Microbially Induced Mineralisation of Wood for Improved Fire Resistance”, EU Horizon Europe, 2025-2029 https://innorenew.eu/project/microbially-induced-mineralisation-wood-improved-fire-resistance-micro-insert/

BioPhenom: “Multifunctional biophenols for safe and recyclable materials”, EU Horizon Europe, 2024-2028 https://cris.vtt.fi/en/projects/multifunctional-biophenols-for-safe-and-recyclable-materials/