SABIC & Zuyderland collaborate to drive circularity for hospital plastic waste, presenting closed loop pilots with ecosystem partners

SABIC, a global leader in the chemical industry, has collaborated with Zuyderland medical center in The Netherlands to help transform medical plastic waste into new contact sensitive packaging materials. In collaboration with converters, Coveris and ACE, and brand owners Artivion and Mölnlycke Health Care, the SABIC and its project partners have successfully proven the concept of recycling used medical plastic back into the medical materials stream in two innovative pilot projects.

Staff at Zuyderland launched a medical plastic waste collection program in June 2024 to help address unmet needs and challenges of plastic waste that would otherwise be incinerated. The program consists of a novel collection system for non-contaminated plastic waste that has not come into contact with patients, blood, or bodily fluids. With the support of specialized transport company L’Ortye, the plastic waste was prepared and transported to SABIC to be converted into pyrolysis oil leveraging advanced recycling processes. SABIC then used this alternative feedstock to produce virgin-like certified* circular polyethylene (PE) from its TRUCIRCLE^™ portfolio.

The new certified circular TRUCIRCLE™ PE has subsequently been used in two new healthcare solutions:

• Coveris produced packaging with 25% content attributed to recycled medical waste* for Artivion’s guide wire used in vascular surgery.
• Mölnlycke Health Care produced surgical drapes with 49% content attributed to hospital-generated plastic waste* to be delivered in the ProcedurePak® solution made with semi-finished product by ACE.

Khaled Al- Jalawi, Global Circular Economy Director at SABIC stated: “We are excited about this pioneering circular business model pilot, which showcases the potential of circular plastic innovations when leading actors from across the medical ecosystem closely collaborate. Non-contaminated medical plastic waste represents a valuable feedstock opportunity, and SABIC TRUCIRCLE™ solutions could play a major role in advancing circularity in healthcare.”

Roel Goffin, board member at Zuyderland, said: ‘We are very proud of this breakthrough after bringing together leading partners in the value chain. Our own non-contaminated medical plastic waste has been successfully turned into new material and returned for use in our own operating rooms.”

The collaboration also has the academic backing from Maastricht University, who has recently been awarded an Interreg EU grant for a 3-year project to help drive ‘Circular Transformation of Health and Care Systems in the Meuse Rhine Region’ with partners including SABIC and Zuyderland.

SABIC will showcase its collaborations with Zuyderland, converters Coveris and ACE and brand owners Artivion and Mölnlycke Health Care at the K Show, taking place Oct. 8–15 in Düsseldorf, at Booth #D42 in Hall 6.

*The recycled content has been calculated using the mass balance approach, with traceability certified under ISCC PLUS

QUOTES:

Fredrik Wallefors, EVP Operating Room Solutions at Mölnlycke Health Care; “We continuously strive to offer our customers solutions without compromising on efficacy or the safety of patients and healthcare professionals. This pioneering collaboration with other ecosystem partners represents a promising step in exploring how advanced recycling could contribute to closing the loop for non-contaminated medical plastic waste. We are proud to be part of efforts to develop methods for circulating materials and mitigating waste related to healthcare delivery.”

Christoph Lentz, Business Development Director at ACE; “We are proud to lead the transformation of medical laminates with our high-performance extrusion films, specifically engineered for the lamination of disposable surgical drape material. In close collaboration with SABIC and Mölnlycke Health Care, we are integrating ISCC PLUS certified circular polymers into our production processes. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to reducing environmental impact and enhancing resource efficiency, driven by innovative recycling technologies and responsible sourcing.”

Karl Will, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, EMEA at Artivion, Inc.; “Through our participation in the SABIC TRUCIRCLE™ project and partnerships with SABIC, Zuyderland, and Coveris, we’re looking into ways to reduce waste and build a scalable recycling model. These partnerships help us not only address today’s surgeon challenges but also look to the future to create a more sustainable industry for generations to come”.

Jan-Willem Bruijsten, Segment Director Medical at Coveris Group: “We are proud to be part of this pioneering initiative, which proves that circularity in healthcare packaging is possible. It also echoes the core values of our No Waste vision to avoid waste in all its forms. At Coveris, we see collaboration as key to a circular future. This partnership is a perfect example of how we can make meaningful impact by joining forces.”.

SABIC and partners have successfully demonstrated the potential of recycling non-contaminated hospital waste back into virgin polymers that can met stringent healthcare applications.

Artivion’s E-wire is used in catheter-based diagnostic and interventional procedures, sealed in packaging from

Coveris produced with 25% content attributed to recycled medical waste using the mass balance approach.

Mölnlycke ProcedurePak® including surgical drapes produced by ACE, containing 49% recycled hospital-generated plastic waste, attributed using the mass balance approach.