FUNCTIONARY-II

Introduction

Functional safety is a critical aspect of the chemical industry which aims to reduce risks and prevent incidents in chemical processes. It involves implementing measures to ensure that systems, equipment and processes function correctly and safely, especially in response to various inputs or potential failures.

Risk analysis, economic factors, cybersecurity and systematic failures are important key concepts for functional safety. Process safety is part of the license to operate of the chemical industry. Process and functional safety is a value creator in our industry.

About

Functional safety - a cornerstone in process safety of chemical processes - is most often approached as a purely hazard-based challenge. FUNCTIONARY-II aims to shift the train of thought regarding functional safety by developing an innovative methodology, integrating a performance- and technology-based approach to it. This new method aims to improve safety and operability of production, which is essential for the Flemish chemical and life sciences industry to remain competitive.

Goal

FUNCTIONARY-II aims to:

1. increase the understanding of critical parameters and how they interact.
2. avoid that safety systems conflict with current standards and guidelines on cybersecurity.
3. increase knowledge and transparency of cost drivers throughout the safety lifecycle.
4. pay more attention to systematic failures.

FUNCTIONARY-II aims to develop prototypes of novel functional safety guide (FSG) that enables assessing the reliability and functioning of functional safety measures based on a novel, enriched, performance- and technology-based approach. Additionally, these FSG prototypes will be verified using specific industrial use cases for which real life examples will be made available through the consortium partners.

Consortium

FUNCTIONARY-II is coordinated by BASF Antwerpen and brings together industry leaders such as Envalior, Evonik Antwerpen, Covestro, Johnson & Johnson, NERO, essenscia Process Safety Academy and essenscia. 

Photo (from-left-to-right): Aron Deneyer (Catalisti), Filip Sunaert (BASF Antwerpen), Kristof De Wispelaere (BASF Antwerpen), Jan Luyts (BASF Antwerpen), Erik Dom (Nero), Jorne Rossen (Evonik Antwerpen), Nantia Bikaki (J&J), Kevin Mertens (Covestro), Koen Goetschalckx (Envalior)

Not present but also part of the FUNCTIONARY-II consortium: Geert Boogaerts (essenscia Process Safety Academy and essenscia), Kris Verheirstraeten (Covestro), Johan Spruytte (Evonik Antwerpen), Marisa Simons (Envalior), Hans Verlooy (J&J), Stef Koelewijn (Catalisti)