Ivana Burzic is Project Leader at Wood K plus, a research organisation in the field of wood and wood-related renewable resources in Linz, Austria. Within SSbD4CheM, she leads the work package dealing with the development and validation of novel materials for the three case studies, with fulfilled sustainability and safety aspects.

Tell us a bit about yourself. What is your area of expertise?

Ivana Burzic: I have many years of experience in researching thermoplastic-based materials/formulation development and their application to various polymer processing technologies. I hold a position at Wood K plus R&D Center (Austria) as International Project Manager in the Bio-based Composites and Processes (BCP) team. Previously, I studied Organic Chemistry and Polymer Engineering from the University of Belgrade (Serbia), and I’m interested in sustainable and circular materials for different application areas. Before joining Wood K plus, I spent 3 years at the Johannes Kepler University (Austria) at Institute of Polymer Extrusion and Compounding, where I worked closely with students as a research associate. During this time, I enjoyed teaching students about plastic welding. I really love teaching young people, especially children, how we can change the future by having good habits and acting responsibly.

How does your specific work package “SSbD driven R&D of novel materials and Demonstration of Industrial Assay” contribute to the project?

IB: The WP7 work package of the SSbD4CheM project plays an important role as it develops novel renewable composites with optimised Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOC) emissions and odour for automotive applications, PFAS-free coatings for textile applications and investigates different types of nanocellulose as a sustainable additive in cosmetics in the light of the implementation of the SSbD framework. In order to fully exploit the potential benefits that innovative SSbD4CheM materials can offer, it is essential to prioritise safety aspects in conjunction with sustainability considerations. Therefore, by applying different steps of the Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) Framework considering different SSbD4CheM use cases, the WP7 work package will work closely with partners from other WPs to integrate functionality/innovation with safety and sustainability considerations as early as possible in the innovation process at TRL3/4 (R&D development process), thus saving costs towards their market introduction.

What is the most exciting thing about the activities in your work package?

IB: Collaboration with international teams as well as close collaboration with industrial partners (representatives of Stellantis Group, AHAVA and KORTEKS) to address different, sometimes complex issues related to the different use case requirements.

On March 13, 2025, Wood K plus took part in the  KC Fachtagung [Conference on Materials] – Focus on Fiber Composites held in Linz, Austria. The event, organized by the Upper Austrian cross-sectional network of the industrial plastics sector (Business Upper Austria), brought together approximately 40 industry stakeholders to discuss the latest developments and applications of fiber-reinforced plastics.

This year’s conference explored a wide spectrum of materials and their forward-looking applications, ranging from mobility and construction to other sectors where fiber-reinforced composites are essential. Key topics included recyclability, design for recycling, and the integration of recycled and bio-based raw materials. Experts from both industry and research institutions presented new insights and visions aimed at driving sustainable and innovative use of fiber-reinforced composites in relevant sectors.

Our colleague Dr. Claudia Pretschuh from Wood K plus contributed to the conference with an oral presentation on “Developments in the Area of Fiber-Based Composites by Using Natural Fibers”. The presentation highlighted key developments from the automotive case study of the SSbD4CheM project, which specifically targets the development of composites reinforced with natural fibers, cellulose fibers, and wood particles for use in automotive interior applications, and focuses on the Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) principles.

Dr. Pretschuh outlined the SSbD approach followed by the project, emphasizing several steps such as:

• Step 3 – Safety aspects: Addressing safety aspects related to the use phase, with a particular focus on volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from automotive interior materials.
• Step 4 – Sustainability aspects: The sustainability dimension is taken into account through a life cycle assessment (LCA) approach, in collaboration with the University of Leiden, also partner in the project.

Additionally, foam injection molding was presented as a potential solution for creating ultra-lightweight thermoplastic compounds. 

The event provided an excellent platform for networking and exchanging perspectives. Following the presentation, Wood K plus engaged in discussions with Magna Powertrain regarding the potential of natural fiber-based composites. Magna expressed interest in further material testing, simulations, and results from ongoing LCA studies. Additionally, future discussions are planned with Borealis to explore material applications and LCA aspects further.

Participation in this conference underscores Wood K plus’s commitment to advancing sustainable material solutions in the automotive sector and beyond.

Experts, researchers, and regulators came together for the Safe and Sustainable Product Design Workshop, hosted by SaferWorldbyDesign in Basel and online on 6th November 2024. The event, attended by around 50 participants (11 onsite and 40 online) from Swiss regulatory bodies, academia, and industry, focused on methods for embedding human safety, environmental protection, and sustainability in the early stages of product development.

The morning programme featured a series of lectures exploring state-of-the-art approaches and best practices, while the afternoon offered hands-on workshops where participants interacted directly with tools and data relevant to product safety and sustainability.

The SSbD4CheM project had a prominent presence throughout the day. Barry Hardy (Edelweiss Connect (EwC)) opened the event and moderated all throught the day. Project Coordinator Milica Velimirovic (VITO) opened the lecture session with an overview of the project’s Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) framework. She highlighted its “learning-by-doing” approach, aimed at integrating safety and sustainability from the outset of innovation.

Indre Piragyte-Langa Oliva (EwC) delivered a lecture on Hazard Characterisation using New Approach Methods (NAMs). She emphasized the role of NAMs in moving away from traditional, animal-based testing toward more ethical, data-driven, and predictive tools. Her talk showcased how SSbD frameworks, supported by NAMs and digital workflows, can help identify harmful chemicals early, speeding up regulatory processes while ensuring safer outcomes for both humans and the environment.

Thomas Arblaster (Leiden University) introduced participants to Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) as a quantitative method to evaluate environmental impacts throughout a product’s life cycle. His session explained how tiered LCA within the SSbD framework helps guide R&D by pinpointing key sustainability questions—even when data is limited.

In the afternoon, the workshop offered a deep dive into practical applications. Indre Piragyte-Langa Oliva (EwC) led participants through a case study on hazard characterisation for cosmetic ingredients, guiding them in using public databases and prediction tools to assess and score alternative compounds.

Barry Hardy (EwC) led participants in the examination of the properties of a formulation including selecting alternatives to ingredients for a substitution. Using EwC’s risk assessment software extended to SSbD, the group was able to score each ingredient in a formulation for environmental impact to narrow down options for best selections.

Thomas Arblaster (Leiden University) conducted a hands-on session on LCA using the openLCA tool, with a case study focused on plastic bottles. Participants learned to navigate databases, set up systems, and evaluate product sustainability using real-world scenarios.

The workshop not only provided valuable training but also underlined the importance of integrating advanced tools and data from the earliest stages of product design. By combining SSbD principles with innovative methods like NAMs and LCA, the event highlighted a path forward for creating safer, more sustainable chemicals and materials.

Lecture Program

• 08.15 Welcome Coffee
• 08.45 Introduction and Overview, Barry Hardy (Edelweiss Connect)
• 09.00 Safe and Sustainable by Design Framework, Milica Velimorovic (VITO)
• 09.30 Hazard Characterisation using New Approach Methods, Indre Piragyte-Langa Oliva (Edelweiss Connect)
• 10.00 Life Cycle Assessment, Thomas Arblaster (Leiden University)
• 10.30 Coffee Break
• 11.00 Data Science and Artificial Intelligence supporting Product Design, Josef Spillner (ZHAW)
• 12.00 Swiss Public Health Perspective, Sabine Frey (Swiss Federal Office of Public Health)
• 12.30 – 13.30 Lunch

Workshop

• 13.30 Hazard Characterization, Indre Piragyte-Langa Oliva (Edelweiss Connect)
• 14.30 Product Characterization Data Management, Pascal Ankli (Edelweiss Connect)
• 15.30 Environmental Scoring of Product Ingredients, Barry Hardy (Edelweiss Connect)
• 16.00 Life Cycle Assessment of Product Materials, Thomas Arblaster (Leiden University)
• 16.45 Wrap-up Discussion & Reception