SABIC has partnered with Zuyderland medical center in the Netherlands to recycle non-contaminated hospital plastic waste into new packaging materials for healthcare use. The collaboration, which also includes converters Coveris and ACE, as well as brand owners Artivion and Mölnlycke Health Care, focused on two pilot projects that demonstrated the feasibility of turning used medical plastics back into materials suitable for sensitive applications.
The initiative began in June 2024 when Zuyderland staff launched a program to collect plastic waste that had not come into contact with patients or bodily fluids. This material was transported by L’Ortye to SABIC, where it was processed using advanced recycling techniques to produce pyrolysis oil. SABIC then used this oil as feedstock to manufacture certified circular polyethylene (PE) from its TRUCIRCLE portfolio.
The resulting PE was incorporated into two healthcare products: Coveris produced packaging containing 25% recycled content for Artivion’s guide wire used in vascular surgery, while Mölnlycke Health Care created surgical drapes with 49% recycled content for its ProcedurePak solution, utilizing semi-finished product from ACE.
Khaled Al-Jalawi, Global Circular Economy Director at SABIC, said: “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, stated: “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.”
Maastricht University is also involved, having received an Interreg EU grant for a three-year project on transforming health and care systems toward greater circularity in the Meuse Rhine Region with partners including SABIC and Zuyderland.
Fredrik Wallefors, EVP OR Solutions at Mölnlycke Health Care said: “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 added: “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., commented: “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 said: “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 will present these collaborations at the K Show from October 8–15 in Düsseldorf.
