EU round up – Eu launches biochemical research scheme

The European Commission has launched a ¤3.7bn public-private research partnership, designed to create new ways of processing bio-based materials. This could potentially create bio-chemicals of value for the paint and coatings sector.

Bio-based Industries (BBI) initiative will spend money until 2020, with the Commission providing ¤975M in European Union (EU) funds, leveraging a projected ¤2.73bn from other sources.

The Commission has now launched its first formal call for research project proposals, which would receive funding from the project, which is part of its Horizon 2020 research programme. These include requests for studies on pre-treatment of ligno-cellulosic biochemical feedstock; new products from sustainable cellulose pulp exploitation; creating valuable products from heterogeneous biowaste streams; fermentation processes to obtain biosurfactants; and more.

EU research Commissioner Máire Geoghegan-Quinn said: "We want to harness innovative technologies to convert Europe’s untapped renewable resources and waste into greener everyday products such as….chemicals…” See http://bbi-europe.eu/sites/default/files/documents/BBI_JU_annual_Work_plan_2014.pdf for details.

• The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) biocidal products committee has approved the use across the EU of copper pyrithione as an active substance in shipping antifouling products against marine fouling species. It is used as a ‘booster biocide’, which increases an anti-fouling coating’s efficacy "against the most problematic soft fouling organisms, such as algae,” said an ECHA note. The committee has also approved the EU-wide use of tolylfluanid, also in antifouling coatings for ships applied by airless spray, brush or roller.

• Meanwhile, ECHA has released a guide helping chemical registrants and downstream users comply with requirements for registering intermediates under EU chemical control system REACH. These are of critical importance in the paint and coatings sector in that ECHA regards them as substances used for chemical processing to create another substance. The guide explains what information should be included on intermediates when compiling a REACH registration dossier.

Intermediates may benefit from special derogations under REACH, such as reduced registration requirements and exemption from authorisation controls preventing many uses of such chemicals. See http://echa.europa.eu/documents/10162/13655/pg16_intermediate_registration_en.pdf

• And the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has laid down rules for the safe application and use of 5-norbornene-2,3-dicarboxylic anhydride as a co-monomer in polyester-based coatings for metal food and drink cans.

It concluded this is not a safety concern for consumers if the chemical makes up to 18.3% of the coating’s weight. Migration of the substance and its related chemicals must not exceed 50µg/kg of food in the can, said EFSA