Inteplast and Eurecat, members of CatalonioaBio & HealthTech, together with VEnvirotech Biotecnology, Synthetic Polymers and Structure and Property (PSEP) from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia have joined forces to develop biodegradable bioplastics from agri-food waste, which will be used in health applications. The aim is to address the environmental challenges of the healthcare sector, where more than 50% of the plastic used is single-use due to hygiene and sterilization requirements.
With these new organic-based and biodegradable formulations materials, which can be adapted to complex geometries and injection processes, initially two specific medical applications will be developed and tested: a dermal patch for drug release with a lower environmental impact and a biodegradable suture kit, a product currently with a complex packaging system and significant consumption.
"PHASAL is a pioneering innovation project selected by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities and funded by the European Union where industry and research synergize to drive sustainable solutions for the healthcare sector. From Inteplast, we will contribute our knowledge and experience in the development and production of high-performance plastic solutions," explains Adriana Carré, director of Inteplast Medical, Inteplast's specialized health division.
Enric Fontdecaba, director of the Polymer Processes and Compounds Unit at Eurecat, comments that "in addition to developing new advanced bioplastic formulations, we will conduct tests on their processing and validation in the healthcare sector, as well as other sectors where their use can be extrapolated."
Comments