Covestro and Allmed Partner to pioneer recycling of artificial kidney filters

The project focuses on recovering high-quality polycarbonate, a valuable polymer material used in the construction of the filters

Covestro and Allmed have launched a joint feasibility study to explore the recycling of used artificial kidney filters, with the goal of recovering high-quality polycarbonate for use in new materials. The initiative aims to create a circular economy model for medical devices, which are typically incinerated or sent to landfills.

In cooperation with additional partners in the United Kingdom – including Allmed’s distribution partner Kimal, a leading regional hospital trust and a specialized recycler – Allmed and Covestro are now preparing for their first recycling trials.

“The circular economy in healthcare is still emerging – but it holds tremendous potential. With this feasibility study, we want to demonstrate that even complex applications like artificial kidney filters can be circular and become a valuable source of high-quality polycarbonate recyclate instead of being incinerated or sent to landfill,” says Lily Wang, Global Head of Engineering Plastics at Covestro.

Blood purification devices can save lifes, but also require significant resources. Covestro, Allmed and Kimal work in making them more circular.

Allmed is equally committed to ambitious sustainability goals: “Blood purification devices are essential for life-saving treatments but also require significant resources. Our ambition is to show that high medical performance and ecological responsibility can go hand in hand,” explains Ahmed Sorour, Chief Executive Officer at Allmed.

Matt Press, Chief Executive Officer of Kimal Group added: "We are very proud that Allmed had chosen Kimal and the UK market to be at the forefront of this fantastic and groundbreaking initiative".