Single use products in the medical and biopharmaceutical industry are experiencing continuous global growth. In line with the European Green Deal, the Clean Industrial Deal, and the European Critical Raw Materials strategy, there is a growing need for innovative material solutions that combine the stringent quality requirements with the principles of a circular economy in these sectors. Developing recyclable, bio-based materials and establishing closed material loops will contribute to strengthening resilient secondary raw material value chains while reducing Europe's dependence on fossil feedstocks.
 

Objectives

Our network aims to develop bio-based, recyclable plastics of medical and pharmaceutical grade for use in single-use products within the healthcare sector and pharmaceutical industry. Products in these sectors must meet stringent requirements to be certified.
Our primary approach is to develop a single-material solution with high recyclability. If the technical requirements cannot be fully met using a single material, multi-layer systems will be developed. The possibility of efficient material separation for recycling is important to us here.
Within our network, we are establishing and assessing recycling pathways for contaminated products in terms of their technical feasibility, environmental compatibility, and potential for the circular economy. Our researchers are aiming to establish a closed-loop material cycle for single-use products and are seeking to significantly improve the sustainable use of secondary raw materials.
 

Who we are looking for 

To expand our existing network of researchers, we are looking for partners specialising in plastics manufacturing, chemistry, medical technology, certification and film production. Ideal partners would be able to contribute expertise in developing innovative and sustainable materials, optimising processing methods, assessing and approving medical devices for regulatory purposes, and manufacturing and scaling up film solutions.
 

Way forward 

Should this topic be of interest to you and you are contemplating a joint project, you are invited to contact Prof. Ilona Brändlin and Prof. Diana Völz at the email address below.

Prof. Ilona Brändlin ilona.braendlin@fra-uas.de
Prof. Diana Völz voelz@fra-uas.de