Protective Composite Gloves for Health Care

Project Information

Composite Gloves

Grant agreement ID: 828012

DOI

10.3030/828012

Project closed

EC signature date 2 August 2018

Start date 1 September 2018

End date 28 February 2019

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

SMARTERIALS TECHNOLOGY GMBH
Germany

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - Composite Gloves (Protective Composite Gloves for Health Care)

Reporting period: 2018-09-01 to 2019-02-28

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

In operating theatres, needlesticks, syringes and other consumables and devices regularly puncture gloves and injure health care personnel. When perforated, medical gloves loose the barrier function, leaving health care professionals unprotected from body fluids, potentially carrying blood-borne diseases such as hepatitis B/C and HIV. Each year, millions of so-called needlestick injuries, also including micro-perforations due to material wear and abrasion, are counted in European health care and worldwide, not including significant dark figures. Studies estimate the economic costs due to needlestick injuries to amount to more than EUR 1 bn. per year.

Smarterials is a materials science company and brings together the existing particle and latex industries. This opens the possibility to design completely new product features. According to its vision, Smarterials is going beyond the common practise, revolutionising medical gloving options.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

In the course of the action, Smarterials has been able to bring its technology closer to the market. It demonstrated the biocompatibility of its industrially produced particles within first trials, was able to extent the amount of specified particles from gram- to kilogram-scale and evaluated those under industrial dipping conditions. A batch of samples has been studied for materials and product properties, including the mechanical behaviour and safety features. These findings provide the basis for product positioning and the definition of the competitive advantage.

Deduced from top-down and bottom-up market studies, the most promising business field was shown to be the surgical glove market. The target segments are defined by the group of surgical health care personnel interested in safe gloving options. In 2019, these growing segments account for EUR 714 m. and EUR 663 m. from natural and synthetic rubber latex, respectively. The extremely inelastic demand for medical gloves and largely independence of global economic cycles makes this an appealing business opportunity.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Gloves from polymer-particle composites have been successfully crafted, using industrial resources. Those provide attractive customer benefits regarding safety and tactility and are able to replace the current surgical gloving standard.

The developed technology will contribute to protection of health care personnel. It provides an efficient barrier, reducing the likelihood of infectious body fluids contaminating the users skin. The consistent application prevents infections and reduces the follow-up costs of occupational accidents in health care.

Industrial Prototype of composite glove