Pioneering safe and sustainable by design chemicals: The I SENTIATECH Congress 2025 will showcase the latest developments in SSbD processes and products

• The I SENTIATECH Congress will be held on 21-22 October 2025 and will be a key European meeting point in the fight against emerging risks and innovation in detection technologies with an impact on health and the environment. The European chemicals and materials industries stand at a pivotal moment, transitioning towards sustainability and safety. One of the three key topics is the Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) framework, which aims to create new sustainable and safe chemicals and materials.

The European chemicals and materials industries stand at a pivotal moment, transitioning towards sustainability and safety. The I SENTIATECH Congress, scheduled for October 21-22, 2025, in Valencia, Spain, emerges as a crucial platform to accelerate this transformation. Being one of the three key topics the Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) framework, the congress aims to foster collaboration, innovation, and knowledge exchange among stakeholders committed to developing sustainable products and processes.

What is the Safe and Sustainable by Design framework?

SSbD is a proactive framework endorsed by the European Commission, aiming to integrate safety and sustainability considerations from the earliest stages of chemical and material design. This approach ensures that new products and processes are not only effective but also minimize risks to human health and the environment throughout their lifecycle.

Implementing SSbD involves a comprehensive assessment of hazards, exposure, and sustainability impacts, promoting the development of safer alternatives and innovative solutions in the chemical industry.

Key SSbD topics of the I SENTIATECH Congress

The I SENTIATECH Congress will feature three main topics with the common principle of detection and monitoring risks and emerging substances. In safe and sustainable chemistry, the main topic will be “Industrial challenges and solutions to implement the safe and sustainable by design (SSbD) framework“. This theme encompasses disruptive and innovative hot topics that are receiving significant support from the industry and European regulatory institutions:

T3.1. Tools and methodological approaches for human and environmental hazard assessment

Europe is promoting the ‘One Substance, One Assessment’ framework under the Sustainability Strategy for Chemicals. This theme addresses the development and application of scientific methods to identify and characterise the hazards inherent in chemicals, as well as their capacity to cause adverse effects on humans and ecosystems. It includes both traditional methods (in vivo toxicology) and new approaches such as in silico models, in vitro assays, and toxicogenomics methods.

T3.2. Industrial oriented exposure and release assessments models and tools 

The European Commission encourages the development of robust models to reduce uncertainty in risk management, which are essential to implement REACH and CLP dynamically and efficiently. This theme addresses the use of computational models and experimental tools to estimate how much of a chemical substance or material is released into the environment or absorbed by humans during use, handling or disposal. These models are adapted to real industrial contexts and product life cycles.

T3.3. Tools and methodological approaches to assist the lifecycle assessment and sustainability

The SSbD framework requires considering not only chemical safety, but also comprehensive environmental sustainability, including CO2 emissions, water use, impacts on biodiversity, etc. Assessing sustainability by design is key to meeting climate neutrality and circular economy objectives. It refers to the set of methodologies to quantify the environmental, social and economic impacts of chemical products and processes throughout their life cycle: from the extraction of raw materials to the end of their useful life.

T3.4. Policy vision and initiatives to support the SSbD framework implementation at industrial level

Europe is creating a mandatory SSbD framework in the medium term: SSbD criteria are expected to be integrated into REACH legislation and other directives. This will affect how chemicals and materials are designed, evaluated and authorised, forcing structural change in sectors such as cosmetics, electronics, automotive or agrochemicals. This block focuses on public policies, regulatory strategies and European programmes that promote or facilitate the adoption of the SSbD approach in industry.

T3.5. Industrially oriented research projects

The Horizon Europe programme devotes a significant part to SSbD projects, and research results are increasingly required to have industrial applicability. It covers technological developments, pilot tests or applied research projects aiming at substituting substances of concern, designing new safe and sustainable materials, optimising production processes to reduce risks and emissions, or applying SSbD criteria at an early stage. Showing solid scientific evidence and validation in real conditions is key for industrial adoption and scaling up.

T3.6. Industrial view and SSbD implementation success stories

Good industry practice is essential to convince other companies and regulators. This block collects real-life experiences of companies that have successfully applied SSbD principles. It includes: Substitution of CMR substances or endocrine disruptors, development of new safer and more sustainable products, changes in the design of formulations, materials or processes, results in reduction of environmental impact, regulatory compliance and competitiveness, etc.

T3.7. Other

Includes proposals that do not fit exactly in the previous blocks, but are aligned with the SSbD philosophy, e.g. new assessment methodologies, digitisation and use of AI for SSbD decision-making, emerging applications (bioplastics, critical materials, industrial enzymes, etc.), training and capacity building for SSbD, etc.

Why Attend the I SENTIATECH Congress?

• Networking Opportunities: Connect with experts, policymakers, and industry leaders dedicated to sustainable chemical innovation.
• Knowledge Exchange: Gain insights into cutting-edge research, methodologies, and best practices in SSbD.
• Policy Influence: Engage in discussions that shape future regulations and standards in the chemical industry.
• Innovation Showcase: Discover pioneering projects and technologies driving the transition to safer and more sustainable chemicals.

Call for Speakers is now open

Researchers, innovators, and industry professionals are invited to submit abstracts on topics related to SSbD and sustainable chemicals. The submission deadline is June 15, 2025. Selected contributions will have the opportunity to present their work at the congress, contributing to the collective advancement of safe and sustainable chemical practices.

The I SENTIATECH Congress 2025 represents a significant step towards embedding safety and sustainability into the core of chemical innovation.

For more information and to submit your abstract, visit the I SENTIATECH Congress website.