- Zuyderland launched a medical plastic waste collection program in June 2024.
- SABIC converts collected waste into pyrolysis oil for circular polyethylene production.
- Maastricht University supports the project with an Interreg EU grant for circular healthcare systems.
- SABIC will showcase the collaboration at the K Show, Oct. 8–15 in Düsseldorf.
Collaboration for Circularity
SABIC and Zuyderland medical center in The Netherlands have partnered to recycle medical plastic waste into new packaging materials. This initiative involves converters Coveris and ACE, and brand owners Artivion and Mölnlycke Health Care, successfully demonstrating the recycling of used medical plastic back into the medical materials stream through two pilot projects.
Waste Collection and Recycling Process
In June 2024, Zuyderland initiated a medical plastic waste collection program to address the challenges of plastic waste that would otherwise be incinerated. The program focuses on collecting non-contaminated plastic waste, which is then transported by L’Ortye to SABIC for conversion into pyrolysis oil using advanced recycling processes. This oil is used to produce certified circular polyethylene from SABIC's TRUCIRCLE™ portfolio.
Innovative Healthcare Solutions
The certified circular TRUCIRCLE™ polyethylene has been utilized in two healthcare solutions: Coveris produced packaging with 25% recycled medical waste content for Artivion’s guide wire, and Mölnlycke Health Care created surgical drapes with 49% hospital-generated plastic waste content for the ProcedurePak® solution.
Academic Support and Future Plans
Maastricht University supports the collaboration with an Interreg EU grant for a project aimed at driving circular transformation in healthcare systems in the Meuse Rhine Region. SABIC plans to showcase this collaboration at the K Show in Düsseldorf, highlighting the potential of recycling non-contaminated hospital waste into virgin polymers suitable for healthcare applications.
