Protective Composite Gloves for Health Care

Informations projet

Composite Gloves

N° de convention de subvention: 828012

DOI

10.3030/828012

Projet clôturé

Date de signature de la CE 2 Août 2018

Date de début 1 Septembre 2018

Date de fin 28 Février 2019

Financé au titre de

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Coût total

€ 71 429,00

Contribution de l’UE

€ 50 000,00

Coordonné par

SMARTERIALS TECHNOLOGY GMBH
Germany

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

Période du rapport: 2018-09-01 au 2019-02-28

Résumé du contexte et des objectifs généraux du projet

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.

Travail effectué depuis le début du projet jusqu’à la fin de la période considérée dans le rapport et principaux résultats atteints jusqu’à présent

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.

Progrès au-delà de l’état des connaissances et impact potentiel prévu (y compris l’impact socio-économique et les conséquences sociétales plus larges du projet jusqu’à présent)

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