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SAbyNA · Project

Online Platform Helping Manufacturers Make Safe Nanomaterial Products Without Regulatory Headaches

manufacturingPilotedTRL 6
sabyna.eu

Imagine you're a paint company wanting to use nanoparticles to make your product scratch-resistant, but you have no idea if it's safe for workers, customers, or the environment — and there's no single rulebook to follow. SAbyNA built an online guidance platform that walks manufacturers through the whole safety check step by step, like a GPS for nano-safety. They even tested it with real paint and 3D-printing companies to make sure it actually works in practice, not just on paper. The platform pulls together the best available safety tools and methods so companies don't have to hunt through dozens of scattered guidelines themselves.

By the numbers
17
consortium partners across multiple disciplines
8
countries represented in the consortium
4
industry partners validating the platform
4
SMEs involved in development and testing
16
project deliverables produced
2
industry sectors with tailored platform modules (paints and 3D printing)
The business problem

What needed solving

Companies using nanomaterials in their products face a maze of scattered safety guidelines with no single, clear regulatory path for managing health and environmental risks. This uncertainty slows product development, increases compliance costs, and creates legal exposure — especially for SMEs without dedicated regulatory affairs teams. Manufacturers in sectors like paints and 3D printing need a practical, integrated way to ensure their nano-enabled products are safe without hiring armies of consultants.

The solution

What was built

SAbyNA delivered a final release of an online Guidance Platform with step-by-step safety workflows, decision trees for risk mitigation, and the updated GUIDEnano tool — plus dedicated modules for the paints and 3D-printing industries and associated online training materials. The platform was validated through real-life industrial case studies with consortium industry partners.

Audience

Who needs this

Paint and coatings manufacturers using nanoparticles for product enhancement3D printing companies working with nano-enabled resins, filaments, or powdersChemical companies producing or distributing nanomaterialsRegulatory affairs managers at companies incorporating nanomaterialsProduct safety consultancies advising manufacturers on nano-risk compliance
Business applications

Who can put this to work

Paints and Coatings
mid-size
Target: Paint manufacturers adding nanoparticles for enhanced performance (scratch resistance, UV protection, antimicrobial properties)

If you are a paint manufacturer incorporating nanomaterials into your coatings — this project developed the SAbyNA Guidance Platform specifically tailored for the paints industry. It provides step-by-step workflows to assess health and environmental risks across your product's entire life cycle. The platform was demonstrated in real industrial case studies with paint companies from the 17-partner consortium spanning 8 countries.

3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing
SME
Target: 3D printing companies using nano-enhanced filaments, resins, or powders

If you are a 3D printing company using nano-enabled materials in your products — SAbyNA built a dedicated module within their Guidance Platform tailored specifically to your industry. It helps you identify which safety measures to apply at each production stage, using decision trees that match mitigation strategies to your specific use case. The platform includes online training materials so your team can get up to speed quickly.

Chemical Manufacturing
any
Target: Chemical companies producing or handling nanomaterials for industrial applications

If you are a chemical manufacturer dealing with regulatory uncertainty around nanomaterials — SAbyNA's platform integrates risk assessment tools covering worker exposure, consumer safety, and environmental impact into one place. Instead of navigating scattered guidance documents across different regulatory domains, you get clear workflows with the updated GUIDEnano tool. The consortium included 4 industry partners and 4 SMEs who validated these tools in practice.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What does the SAbyNA Guidance Platform cost to use?

Based on available project data, the platform was developed as an EU-funded public research output. The final release includes free online training materials. Specific licensing or subscription costs are not detailed in the available data — contact the coordinator for current access terms.

Can this platform handle industrial-scale production assessments?

Yes. SAbyNA specifically designed the platform to support real industrial use cases, with dedicated modules for the paints and 3D-printing sectors. The tools were demonstrated in real-life industrial case studies with input from 4 industry partners across the 17-member consortium.

What about intellectual property and licensing?

The platform was developed under an EU RIA (Research and Innovation Action) grant, which typically requires open or fair access to results. The GUIDEnano tool is an updated version of an existing tool. Contact ACONDICIONAMIENTO TARRASENSE (the coordinator in Spain) for specific IP and licensing arrangements.

Does this help with current EU regulations on nanomaterials?

The platform was designed precisely to fill the gap where specific regulatory guidelines for nanomaterials don't exist yet. It integrates risk management approaches covering workers, consumers, and environmental domains. As regulations evolve, the platform's workflows help companies stay ahead of compliance requirements.

How long does it take to implement in our company?

The platform includes online training materials bundled with the final release to speed up adoption. Since it provides guided workflows with decision trees rather than requiring custom integration, teams can begin using it relatively quickly. The 4-year project (2020-2024) refined usability through continuous dialogue with end-users.

Can the platform be adapted to our specific industry sector?

SAbyNA demonstrated this exact capability by building tailored modules for paints and 3D printing. The architecture supports creating sector-specific guidance by customizing workflows and decision trees. Based on available project data, additional sector modules would require engagement with the development team.

Consortium

Who built it

The SAbyNA consortium of 17 partners across 8 countries (Spain, Finland, France, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden, UK, US) is heavily research-oriented with 12 research organizations and only 1 university, giving it deep scientific credibility. The 4 industry partners (24% industry ratio) and 4 SMEs provided real-world validation, though the relatively low industry ratio means commercialization may need additional business partners. The coordinator, ACONDICIONAMIENTO TARRASENSE in Spain, is a research association (not an SME), which is typical for platform-development projects. The international spread across Europe and the US suggests broad applicability, but a business buyer should verify whether the platform has been validated for their specific regulatory jurisdiction.

How to reach the team

ACONDICIONAMIENTO TARRASENSE ASSOCIACION in Spain — a research association that coordinated the 17-partner consortium

Order a report on this consortiumSee ACONDICIONAMIENTO TARRASENSE ASSOCIACION profile →
Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to know if the SAbyNA Guidance Platform fits your nanomaterial safety needs? SciTransfer can arrange a direct introduction to the development team and help you evaluate the platform for your specific industry sector.

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