Descripción del proyecto
Oportunidades circulares para el sector médico
Los bioplásticos, derivados de materias primas renovables como el almidón, la celulosa, aceites vegetales y grasas vegetales, son plásticos que también pueden ser biodegradables. Los bioplásticos desempeñan una función crucial en la transición hacia una economía circular al sustituir los recursos fósiles por otros renovables y al aumentar los objetivos de reciclaje, así como la eficiencia en la gestión de residuos y el consumo de recursos. Para responder a esta necesidad, el proyecto financiado con fondos europeos GREEN-MAP facilitará una economía circular en hospitales, específicamente en el sector de los dispositivos médicos desechables. Desarrollará novedosos polímeros biodegradables de base biológica que puedan utilizarse en envases de dispositivos médicos, así como en los componentes o dispositivos médicos desechables. En particular, el proyecto formará una red de investigación internacional e interseccional que reúna a expertos de dentro y fuera del mundo académico para garantizar el intercambio eficaz y a alto nivel de los nuevos conocimientos.
Objetivo
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.
Ámbito científico
- engineering and technologyenvironmental biotechnologybioremediationbioreactors
- natural scienceschemical sciencespolymer sciences
- agricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagriculturehorticulturevegetable growing
- social scienceseconomics and businesseconomicssustainable economy
- engineering and technologyindustrial biotechnologybiomaterialsbiofuels
Palabras clave
Programa(s)
Régimen de financiación
MSCA-RISE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Research and Innovation Staff Exchange (RISE)Coordinador
70 310 Szczecin
Polonia