SABIC has collaborated with Zuyderland medical center in the Netherlands to convert non-contaminated hospital plastic waste into new contact-sensitive healthcare packaging materials. Working with converters Coveris and Ace and brand owners Artivion and Mölnlycke Health Care, the partners have successfully proven the concept of recycling used medical plastics back into the medical materials stream in two pilot projects. Zuyderland staff launched a dedicated collection program in June 2024 for plastic waste that has not come into contact with patients, blood or bodily fluids, addressing items that would otherwise be incinerated. With the support of specialized transporter L’Ortye, the segregated waste was prepared and delivered to SABIC for advanced recycling. SABIC converted the waste into pyrolysis oil as an alternative feedstock, then used it to produce virgin-like certified circular polyethylene from its Trucircle portfolio. The circular PE was subsequently processed into new medical packaging and drape components, indicating that closed-loop pathways for selected hospital plastics can be established when non-contaminated streams are collected and verified. The collaboration also has academic backing from Maastricht University, which has received an Interreg EU grant for a three-year project focused on circular transformation of health and care systems in the Meuse Rhine region with partners including SABIC and Zuyderland.
SABIC and partners have successfully demonstrated the potential of recycling non-contaminated hospital waste back into virgin polymers that can met stringent healthcare applications.
Pilot applications and material attribution
In the pilots, the certified circular PE was used in two healthcare applications:
- Coveris produced packaging with 25 percent content attributed to recycled medical waste for Artivion’s guide wire used in vascular surgery, attributed using the mass balance approach.
- Mölnlycke Health Care produced surgical drapes with 49 percent content attributed to hospital-generated plastic waste to be delivered in the ProcedurePak solution, made with semi-finished product by Ace.
Mölnlycke ProcedurePak including surgical drapes produced by ACE, containing 49% recycled hospital-generated plastic waste, attributed using the mass balance approach.
Partner statements
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, 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."
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, said: "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 and Marketing, EMEA at Artivion, said: "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."
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.
Showcase at K Show
SABIC will showcase its collaborations with Zuyderland, converters Coveris and Ace and brand owners Artivion and Mölnlycke at the K Show, taking place Oct. 8 to 15 in Düsseldorf, at Booth D42 in Hall 6.
