Designing Medical Polymer Solutions for Environmental Sustainability

Because the mass-balance approach means that in all respects Hostaform MT POM ECO-B is functionally identical to regular Hostaform MT POM, Celanese can offer it as an option on any grade of Hostaform MT POM in the company’s portfolio and, as mentioned, switching to an equivalent grade of Hostaform MT POM ECO-B involves no change in the downstream manufacturing processes and no need for product requalification.

HOSTAFORM MT POM ECO-B IN ACTION – YPSOMATE ZERO

As part of its commitment to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2030, Ypsomed identified its state-of-the-art YpsoMate autoinjector as a prime candidate for optimisation to reduce its carbon footprint. In order to develop YpsoMate Zero, the world’s first carbon neutral autoinjector, Ypsomed performed a lifecycle analysis of YpsoMate to identify its environmental impact hotspots. This analysis highlighted the use of alternative, more environmentally sustainable polymers as a high-priority focus point for the development of YpsoMate Zero. In pursuit of this goal, Celanese’s Hostaform® MT® POM ECO-B MT12R01 emerged as a favourite candidate for several of the components of YpsoMate Zero.

Ypsomed noted that the materials used for the device components of the standard YpsoMate autoinjector had the greatest impact on the device’s total carbon emissions, with the polymer components, such as the device housing, syringe holding unit and components used to remove the needle guard, accounting for approximately 60% of the total carbon emissions associated with the device. As such, partnering with Celanese and using the carbon footprint reduction offered by Hostaform® MT® POM ECO-B helped Ypsomed’s YpsoMate Zero become the first autoinjector produced with a net-zero carbon footprint (Figure 4).

CONCLUSION AND OUTLOOK

To meet the enormous challenges presented to create environmentally sustainable products, all industries are looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint. A key element for success will be transitioning to more carbon neutral materials, especially in the medical industry where recycling medical-grade materials is a significant challenge.

Celanese has stepped up to the challenge with Hostaform® MT® POM ECO-B, which uses the mass-balance approach to provide a material that is functionally identical to the company’s existing Hostaform® MT® POM but produced with up to 97% bio-content using a potential greenhouse gas as feedstock. As shown by its use in Ypsomed’s industry-leading YpsoMate Zero, Hostaform® MT® POM ECO-B is both simple to switch to and reduces the risk and difficulties involved in making products that are more environmentally sustainable.

To find out more about Hostaform® MT® POM ECO-B and Celanese’s wide-ranging expertise and experience partnering for the development of a broad range of medical devices, including inhalers, autoinjectors, wearable injectors and many others, please visit www.healthcare.celanese.com

YpsoMate is a registered trademarks of Ypsomed.
Hostaform and MT are registered trademarks of Celanese.