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NOVEL GREEN POLYMERIC MATERIALS FOR MEDICAL PACKAGING AND DISPOSABLES TO IMPROVE HOSPITAL SUSTAINABILITY

Project description

DEENESFRITPL

Circular opportunities for the medical sector

Derived from renewable feedstocks, such as starch, cellulose, vegetable oils and vegetable fats, bioplastics are plastics that can also be biodegradable. Bioplastics play a key role in the transition to a circular economy by replacing fossil with renewable resources and increasing recycling targets as well as resource and waste management efficiency. Responding to this need, the EU-funded GREEN-MAP project will enable a circular economy in hospitals – within the disposable medical device industry. It will develop novel bio-based, biodegradable polymers that can be used in medical device packaging as well as for disposable medical devices/components. Specifically, the project will form an intersectional and international research network, bringing together experts from inside and outside academia to ensure a high level and effective sharing of new knowledge.

Objective

The ultimate research goal of the GREEN-MAP project is to enable a circular economy within the disposable medical device industry. We will develop novel bio-based, biodegradable polymers that can be used in medical device packaging, as well as for disposable medical devices/components. By combining renewable, bio-based monomers with biodegradability via industrial composting and/or anaerobic digestion and bioconversion, we will enable a sustainable path for the disposable medical device market—expected to double by 2023—ultimately leading to a circular economy.
Key innovative elements include:
1) use of bio-based monomers (vegetable oil), representing value added to existing biodiesel refining,
2) green chemistry approach, using enzymes and alternative, low-impact catalysts,
3) polymer systems (copolymers and/or blends) with highly tunable properties (mechanical, optical, barrier, hemocompatibility).
Accomplishing this ambitious goal will only be possible by forming a new collaborative intersectional and international research network. Participation within the project will directly lead to diversification of skills, both research-related and transferable ones, leading to improved employability and career prospects both in and outside academia.
Thus, the consortium includes academic and non-academic partners involved in each aspect of the bio-based polymer value chain: substrates/monomers, synthesis, characterization, processing, product development, and life cycle sustainability assessment. While the focus is on material development for existing disposable medical devices and their packaging, the innovative and synergistic environment fostered by consortium, and especially the secondments can lead to the development of new devices, new procedures, etc., representing potential added value of the collaboration network. International and intersectoral mobility guarantees high level and effective sharing of new knowledge.

Fields of science

Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Call for proposal

H2020-MSCA-RISE-2019

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Funding Scheme

MSCA-RISE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Research and Innovation Staff Exchange (RISE)

Coordinator

ZACHODNIOPOMORSKI UNIWERSYTET TECHNOLOGICZNY W SZCZECINIE
Net EU contribution
€ 349 600,00
Address
Al. piastow 17
70 310 Szczecin
Poland

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Region
Makroregion północno-zachodni Zachodniopomorskie Miasto Szczecin
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Other funding
€ 18 400,00

Participants (7)

Partners (1)

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Last update: 10 March 2023

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Permalink: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/872152

European Union, 2023