Collab develops biobased wash mitt for greener healthcare
In Germany, healthcare company Schülke has launched a biodegradable disposable wash mitt developed in collaboration with Nitto, Indorama Ventures and Polymateria. The wash mitt, now available in Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Spain, is primarily made from cellulose, with a nonwoven polypropylene layer accounting for about 24% of the material. The polypropylene incorporates Polymateria’s Biotransformation technology, which is designed to enable the material to biodegrade in the open terrestrial environment if it escapes conventional waste management.
The technology converts the polypropylene into a bioavailable wax that can subsequently biodegrade, addressing the persistence of plastic materials while retaining the strength and functionality required for patient-care applications. The nonwoven layer meets the BSI PAS 9017 standard for biodegradation.
The partners describe the product as the first biodegradable ultrasonically bonded wash mitt, combining conventional cellulose-based materials with modified polypropylene to reduce its environmental persistence after use.
Category: Chemicals & Materials
