Page 59 - Plastics News Issue October 2025
P. 59
BUSINESS NEWS
COVERIS AND SABIC TO DEVELOP CIRCULAR
RECYCLING FOR MEDICAL PACKAGING
Launched in 2024, the project aims to show that
non-contaminated hospital plastic waste can be
recycled into high-quality circular materials while
maintaining the safety standards required for
medical applications.
At the Zuyderland Medical Centre in the Nether-
lands, non-contaminated polyethylene (PE) and
polypropylene (PP) waste is collected separate-
ly in pink bags instead of being incinerated.
T he collaboration is the first closed-loop SABIC then converts this waste into pyrolysis
healthcare packaging project of its kind.
oil and produces certified circular polyethylene
Coveris, in collaboration with SABIC, Zuy- (TRUCIRCLE PE).
derland Medical Centre and Artivion, has devel- Coveris uses this resin to manufacture medical-
oped a process to convert medical waste into grade film at its Halle facility, which is later pro-
new packaging materials. cessed into sterile pouches at its Rohrdorf site.
The initiative focuses on recycling used medi- The finished pouches are supplied to Artivion for
cal plastic packaging into new contact-sensitive packing vascular surgery guidewires, which are
packaging, creating a closed-loop model within subsequently returned to Zuyderland Medical
the healthcare sector. Centre, completing the circular process.
The collaboration forms part of SABIC’s TRUCIR- The resulting packaging contains 25% material
CLE initiative and is the first closed-loop health- sourced from non-contaminated hospital waste.
care packaging project of its kind.
SABIC global circular economy director Khaled
Coveris Group medical segment director Jan- Al-Jalawi stated: “We are excited about this
Willem Bruijsten commented: “At Coveris, we pioneering circular business model pilot, which
see collaboration as key to a circular future, and showcases the potential of circular plastic in-
we are extremely proud to be part of this pio- novations when leading actors from across the
neering initiative. medical ecosystem closely collaborate.
“It proves that circularity in healthcare packag- “Non-contaminated medical plastic waste rep-
ing is possible. The project fully echoes the core resents a valuable feedstock opportunity, and
values of our No Waste vision. This partnership SABIC TRUCIRCLE solutions could play a major
is a perfect example of how we can make mean- role in advancing circularity in healthcare.”
ingful impact by joining forces.”
Source – Packaging Gateway
October 2025 PLASTICS NEWS 59
