25.10.2024
Sustainability is omnipresent today and the change is palpable: people are changing their lifestyles and companies are adapting their processes accordingly. In industries that rely heavily on disposable products and environmentally harmful plastics, such as polymers with plasticizers - for example in the healthcare sector - the question of how to shape a more sustainable future is becoming increasingly important. Especially in this sector, where hygiene and safety are paramount, single-use plastic products dominate.
BIOVOX has set itself the task of tackling precisely this issue and finding innovative solutions. The company is working on developing sustainable plastics for medical technology - based on renewable raw materials. Its aim is to reduce dependence on petroleum-based plastics and their environmental impact, while at the same time meeting the high demands of the healthcare sector. BIOVOX's mission: to shape a sustainable future, especially in a sector that has so far relied on disposable products and plastic packaging.
While plastic products are indispensable in the healthcare industry due to their safety and cost-effectiveness, current use is largely based on fossil fuels and a linear economy that accelerates climate change. "There are a lot of single-use plastic products and packaging in healthcare - for good reason, they are safe and cheap. But we need to move away from the fossil-based and CO2-intensive linear economy that prevails in hospitals, laboratories and pharmacies today. [...]", says Dr. Julian Lotz, founder & CEO of BIOVOX. The company wants to reverse this trend by developing plastics from renewable raw materials that are not only safer, but can also be recycled efficiently. In certain areas, the CO2 footprint of plastics in the healthcare sector can thus be reduced by up to 85 percent. and offers great potential for climate neutrality, especially when it comes to packaging.
Versatility of products in medical technology
BIOVOX products already cover a broad spectrum of medical technology - albeit with limitations. "We do not currently offer any materials for long-term implantable medical devices. Our expertise comes from this area [...] but this area of the market is comparatively small and therefore has little impact, but these applications are much more complex in terms of regulation and documentation than plastics for non-implanted medical devices," explains Lotz. BIOVOX focuses on areas of application such as surgical instruments and pharmaceutical packaging, where the company ensures that the materials meet the specific requirements and safety standards. For particularly critical applications involving contact with blood or mucous membranes, the company works closely with customers to determine which materials are suitable and safe.
Investments in sustainable plastics
With the recently received investment of 2.2 million euros in the company, BIOVOX continues to advance its mission. The financing round was led by High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF), with support from other investors such as Beteiligungs-Managementgesellschaft Hessen mbH (BMH) and members of the business angel club better ventures. The funds will be used to hire specialist staff to support customers with development and regulatory requirements. "We have hired two new colleagues to support our customers in their development projects with expertise, advice and regulatory/documentation issues from a materials perspective," explains Julian Lotz. Another focus is on material development, as a variety of bioplastics is required to cover all areas of healthcare. This further development is crucial in order to remain the market leader for sustainable medical plastics.
Mission and future challenges
BIOVOX emphasizes that sustainable innovations in the healthcare sector can only succeed through comprehensive collaboration. "In my opinion, collaboration is crucial to making the healthcare sector fit for the future. We have to consider the entire life cycle of the products and not just focus on optimizing islands [...]," Lotz replies. Together with Bayern Innovativ and BIOPRO Baden-Württemberg, BIOVOX actively promotes this holistic approach in the Alliance for Sustainable Medical Technology. Another key element is the consistent commitment to sustainability. "[...] But what is just as important is commitment. Everyone likes to talk about sustainability, but trial and error alone will not achieve sustainability goals. Products have to be launched on the market," concludes founder Julian Lotz.
We are delighted that BIOVOX is a partner in the Health Innovation Network of Bayern Innovativ GmbH. As a collaboration partner in the Alliance for Sustainable Medical Technology, we congratulate them on their investment. This represents a valuable contribution to a sustainable future. We would like to thank you for your cooperation to date and look forward to many more successful years.
