Descrizione del progetto
Opportunità circolari per il settore medico
Le bioplastiche sono plastiche ricavate da materie prime rinnovabili quali l’amido, la cellulosa, gli oli e i grassi vegetali e che possono essere anche biodegradabili. Le bioplastiche svolgono un ruolo fondamentale nella transizione verso un’economia circolare sostituendo le risorse fossili con quelle rinnovabili e aumentando gli obiettivi di riciclo così come l’efficienza nella gestione dei rifiuti e delle risorse. In risposta a questa necessità, il progetto GREEN-MAP, finanziato dall’UE, permetterà un’economia circolare negli ospedali, all’interno del settore dei dispositivi medici monouso; svilupperà dei polimeri innovativi biodegradabili e biocompatibili che possono essere utilizzati nel confezionamento dei dispositivi medici e per i componenti/dispositivi medici monouso. In particolare, il progetto costituirà una rete di ricerca internazionale e intersettoriale, riunendo esperti all’interno e al di fuori del mondo accademico per garantire una condivisione efficace di alto livello delle nuove conoscenze.
Obiettivo
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.
Campo scientifico
- engineering and technologyenvironmental biotechnologybioremediationbioreactors
- natural scienceschemical sciencespolymer sciences
- agricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagriculturehorticulturevegetable growing
- social scienceseconomics and businesseconomicssustainable economy
- engineering and technologyindustrial biotechnologybiomaterialsbiofuels
Programma(i)
Meccanismo di finanziamento
MSCA-RISE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Research and Innovation Staff Exchange (RISE)Coordinatore
70 310 Szczecin
Polonia