Overview
This course provides a structured introduction to the evolving role of plastics in healthcare. It examines upcoming regulatory changes and market trends that will shape material selection in medical and pharmaceutical applications.
Participants will gain a clear understanding of the regulatory landscape (recycled content targets, carbon footprint reduction, critical substance restrictions, green public procurement) and the resulting implications for material compliance. The session also covers the current state and future potential of bio-based and recycled plastics in healthcare, their strengths and limitations regarding product performance, patient safety, availability, and compliance with standards such as VDI 2017 for medical grade plastics. Practical distinctions between mass balance and physically bio-based approaches are explained, along with their relevance for different types of development projects - from material changes in existing products to the design of new devices and packaging.
CPD Hours: 3
Course Content
- Day 1
- Regulatory landscape & material compliance
- Sustainable plastics: bio-based & recycled options
- Applying Bioplastics into Development Projects
Speakers
Julian Lotz
Dr. Julian Lotz is Co-Founder and CEO of BIOVOX GmbH, a German company at the forefront of developing sustainable medical-grade plastics from renewable resources. With a PhD in mechanical and process engineering from Technische Universität Darmstadt and extensive experience in product development, he works on enabling circular, regulation-ready solutions for healthcare and laboratory applications. Julian has collaborated on sustainable materials projects with both large corporations and SMEs, including hidden champions in the industry, helping diverse partners realize innovative, high-quality and safe materials that align with evolving regulatory and sustainability goals.
