Belgium is pushing ahead in the substitution of hazardous substances
Under the banner of the Belgium Builds Back Circular third call, managed by FPS Economy (FOD Economie), Belgium is pushing ahead in the substitution of hazardous substances — making the leap from challenge to opportunity. This call is specifically designed to support innovation initiatives bringing to market alternative chemicals, technologies or products that eliminate the use of so-called “substances of concern”.
Here are the two exciting projects where Centexbel is deeply involved:
Project PFAS‑FREE
Focus: Substituting PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in textile water-repellent solutions.
The PFAS-FREE project aims to produce fluorine-free water-repellent coatings for textiles that meet or exceed the performance of current commercial PFAS-based solutions.
Centexbel’s role: Developing bio-based hydrophobic polyurethanes (PU) and non-isocyanate PUs (NIPU), in cooperation with partner institutions such as UCLouvain, ULiège and UGent.
Why it matters: PFAS are persistent, bio-accumulative, and toxic (PBT), used in tens of thousands of tonnes annually in textiles across Europe — this project addresses both health & environmental urgency and market competitiveness.
Project FONT
Flame Retardants from Natural Feedstock for Textiles
Focus: Replacing brominated flame retardants (such as DBDPE or TBBPA) in textiles with safer, bio-based alternatives.
The project builds on a technology developed at KU Leuven that extracts aromatic molecules from lignin (plant material), enabling their modification into flame retardants.
Centexbel’s role: Upscaling the bio flame-retardant synthesis, small-scale testing on textiles, and evaluating recyclability of flame-retardant treated materials.
Why it matters: Flame retardants are used widely in textile applications, and safer, more sustainable alternatives can reduce hazardous substance burden, align with tighter regulation, and support circularity in textiles.
Why this initiative is so important
- It recognises that hazardous chemicals are embedded in countless products, value chains and sectors — substituting them is both a health/environmental and economic necessity.
- By working on high-value materials (textile coatings, flame retardants) with circular economy thinking (bio-based feedstock, recyclability, safe by design), these projects position Belgian industry for future regulatory and market demands.
Contact
David De Smet
Frederik Goethals
