Covestro and Allmed Partner to Pioneer Recycling of Artificial Kidney Filters
- Feasibility study on recycling of artificial kidney filters explores viability of medical plastic recycling
- Project includes distribution specialist Kimal, hospitals, and recyclers to create a complete recycling ecosystem
- Goal: Creating pathways for medical device circularity
Covestro, one of the world’s leading suppliers of high-performance polymer materials, and Allmed, an international blood purification specialist, announced a partnership to jointly investigate the recycling of used artificial kidney filters. The study will explore the potential to recover polycarbonate from medical devices for use in new materials with recycled content.
The collaboration seeks to develop a circular economy model for medical devices by proving both technical feasibility and economic viability while navigating the complex regulatory landscape of medical waste management. 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.
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”.
About Allmed:
Allmed is a leading innovator and supplier of groundbreaking blood purification devices. It encompasses the widest portfolio of such devices globally, from neonatal care up to the largest blood filters on the market. It is headquartered in the UK, with key technology centers in Germany, and exports its devices and technologies to over 40 countries worldwide. Allmed is committed to showcasing to the world that even life-saving medical devices can enter and exit the supply chain sustainably.
About Covestro:
Covestro is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of high-quality polymer materials and their components. With its innovative products, processes and methods, the company helps enhance sustainability and the quality of life in many areas. Covestro supplies customers around the world in key industries such as mobility, building and living, as well as the electrical and electronics sector. In addition, polymers from Covestro are also used in sectors such as sports and leisure, telecommunications and health, as well as in the chemical industry itself.
The company is geared completely to the circular economy. In addition, Covestro aims to achieve climate neutrality for its Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 2035, and the Group’s Scope 3 emissions are also set to be climate neutral by 2050. Covestro generated sales of EUR 14.2 billion in fiscal year 2024. At the end of 2024, the company had 46 production sites worldwide and employed approximately 17,500 people (calculated as full-time equivalents).
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Covestro AG. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Covestro’s public reports which are available at www.covestro.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.