Research team develops sustainable bioplastic for medical devices
A research team from Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences (UAS) and BIOVOX GmbH from Darmstadt are developing a bio-based plastic for infusion bags to reduce the environmental impact of disposable medical products. The “Bio_K_Sub” project is funded with around 500,000 euros from the Innovation Promotion Hesse (LOEWE) and will run until October 2026.
Medical disposables such as catheters or blood bags cause about 8.3 kilograms of waste per patient and hospital stay in German hospitals. The incineration of these products exacerbates the climate balance of the healthcare sector. Bio-based plastics, which are made from renewable raw materials such as cellulose, sugar cane or corn starch, offer an alternative with a lower CO₂ footprint and no harmful additives.
Under the direction of Prof. Dr. Diana Völz and Prof. Dr. Ilona Brändlin, the team is developing a plastic that is biostable, age-resistant and UV-resistant. BIOVOX supplies the formulation for the plastic granules, while Frankfurt UAS carries out biocompatibility verifications and mechanical tests. The research also includes ecological balances to assess the sustainability of the materials.
The project aims to establish material cycles in medicine and could also be used for other medical containers such as blood bags in the long term. It promises both scientific and economic innovations to achieve climate goals in the health sector.
Further information:
Personalized Biomedical Engineering Research Laboratory – PBE
Editor: X-Press Journalistenbüro GbR
Gender Notice. The personal designations used in this text always refer equally to female, male and diverse persons. Double/triple naming and gendered designations are used for better readability. ected.
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