SHARP - Piercing Progress: Innovating Sustainable Practices for IVF Needle Manufacturing

Purpose and goal:

This project targets the sustainability of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) needle production by implementing cutting-edge manufacturing techniques and eco-friendly packaging solutions. The aim is to take a comprehensive approach of IVF needle production to enhance the environmental footprint, e.g., by investigating solutions to take care of residual chemicals in the production and finding the best suitable packaging, ensuring that every step of the production aligns with principles of sustainability, responsibility, and regulatory frameworks and standards.

Expected results and effects:

-Increase knowledge of chemical reactions and conditions for the appearance of unwanted chemicals during the electropolishing step. -Investigate potential options and/or strategies to avoid, reduce and/or safely manage residual chemicals.

-Increase the knowledge on more sustainable and resource efficient packaging solutions that fulfil both technical-, regulatory-, and sustainability requirements (in relation to costs).

-Investigation of up-coming legislative changes or policies regarding packaging that will impact the medical device sector. Approach and implementation:

The project is organised in three work packages (WPs), two technical WPs (one on electropolishing and one on sustainable packaging) as well as one WP handling the project management, communication, and dissemination. The project will be a close collaboration between the two project partners (Vitrolife and Chalmers Industriteknik) and will also involve other relevant stakeholders. A master thesis student will be recruited to perform part of the technical and academic work.