Phase 1 of Mistra SafeChem summarised in a scientific article

The first phase of the Mistra SafeChem project, which ran from 2020 to 2024, has been summarised in an article published in the journal Communications Chemistry. The article presents highlights from the phase 1 research and discusses aspects relevant to the future of the safe and sustainable production and use of chemicals.

The authors are Mistra SafeChem phase 1's work package and co-leaders, case study leaders, and the chair of the industry group. The former programme director, John Munthe, is the lead author.

The work of Mistra SafeChem is based on the premise that the chemical industry must transition towards safety and sustainability. This will necessitate interdisciplinary research and development, involving the collaboration of experts in chemistry, chemical engineering, toxicology, ecotoxicology, and life cycle analysis, to develop new production methods, chemicals, and materials.

The article summarises the significant results yielded by the Mistra SafeChem programme in areas such as catalysis, biocatalysis, risk screening for humans and ecosystems, and life cycle analysis with chemical footprints.

– These results represent valuable scientific achievements in their own right, while also forming part of an integrated strategy for assessing the safety and sustainability of new chemicals and chemical synthesis processes within chemical value chains, comments John Munthe.

– We also discuss some key aspects of importance for the implementation of an integrated approach for research and innovation in chemical and material science, focusing on safety and sustainability.

Read the article: Progress and future outlook towards a safe and sustainable production and use of chemicals External link, opens in new window.