Under the deal, Ethicon will source Eastman Renew materials for its medical devices in order to reduce plastic waste in healthcare packaging
Ethicon to source Eastman Renew materials for its medical device sterile-barrier packaging. (Credit: PR Newswire/ Eastman)
Chemical company Eastman has partnered with Johnson & Johnson MedTech Company, Ethicon, to supply Eastman Renew materials for the latter’s medical device sterile-barrier packaging.
The deal is intended to reduce waste in the healthcare system and advance to a more circular future.
With this deal, Ethicon becomes the first healthcare organisation to use medical-grade Eastman Renew materials in its product packaging.
Eastman plastics division president Scott Ballard said: “The companies worked closely to chart a path toward creating a more circular future for packaging of medical devices, driving landfill diversion and reducing carbon emissions.
“With our molecular recycling technologies, we can improve the sustainability of products that have been the hallmark of safety and performance in healthcare for decades.”
For its medical device packaging, Ethicon will employ Eastar Renew 6763 copolyester, which is supported by Eastman’s advanced molecular recycling capabilities.
Eastman said the durability, safety, and performance of Eastar Renew 6763 are identical to those of Eastar 6763 copolyester, on which medical device manufacturers have long depended.
The Eastar Renew enables the firm to keep the plastic trash out of landfills and can use it to create new packaging.
The objective of this agreement is to divert waste volume equal to 25% of the weight of all packaging produced and increase it to 50% by the end of 2023.
Ethicon’s recent ISCC PLUS accreditation, given by the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC), support its sustainable commitment.
According to the chemical firm, the move will grow the circular economy for healthcare and boost recycling rates.
Its molecular recycling technologies can enhance the sustainability profiles of healthcare organisations and provide the industry with a way to cut down on plastic waste.
The technology can reduce trash to its indistinguishable from virgin material molecular building components, which may then be utilised to produce high-performance polymers appropriate for the medical sector.
Additionally, they don’t need any fossil fuels and produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions because it uses plastic waste as feedstock.