ENKORE Project: ecoDesign framework in Healthcare Solutions

The “Propelling the shift toward the future of circular, safe and sustainable packaging and single use device solutions ecoDesigned through healthcare environments”- ENKORE Project is going to mark a significant milestone in the healthcare sector’s journey towards sustainability and circular economy practices, through its kick-off meeting on January 30-31 The meeting will be held in Madrid, Spain and to be hosted by Polytechnic University of Madrid. This initiative, spearheaded by a multidisciplinary consortium comprising 39 partners and 13 industry affiliates from 15 EU countries (click to see the full list), along with collaborators from the UK and the USA, is set to revolutionise how medical devices and packaging are designed and utilised. Salahuddin Sohag, Managing Director of DigiProd Pass Ltd., and Head of Product at Technovative Solutions LTD (TVS) will represent TVS at the meeting.

Project Objectives

The ENKORE project aims to develop an ecoDesign framework for the healthcare sector to promote circular economy principles. The framework aims to create safe, environmentally-compliant, and eco-responsible packaging for medical devices, minimising environmental impact, reducing carbon footprint, and maximizing resource use. The project will be validated in five Reference Use Cases (RUCs) led by health regions, policy makers, large EU hospitals, and the European Regional and Local Health Authorities (EUREGHA). The project is supported by associations, NGOs, packaging manufacturers, and specialists in circularity, LCA, social sciences, environment, circularity, and materials. The validation will provide evidence for policymakers to create new standards and engage in policy making and regulatory engagement. The methods and tools include Environmental and Social Life Cycle Assessment (ELCA/SLCA), Circularity Calculator (CC), and Digital Product Passport (DPP).

Role of TVS in the ENKORE Project

TVS will play a critical role in providing the ENKORE Suite of Services. Here’s a closer look at the contributions that the organisation will make to the project:

Cost and LCA Models: TVS will design and develop comprehensive cost and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) models. These models will help evaluate the environmental impacts of healthcare products throughout their lifecycle, from raw material extraction through to disposal.

Circularity Calculator: As part of the suite of services, TVS will create a Circularity Calculator (CC) that will serve as a crucial tool for assessing the circularity of products at different stages.

Digital Product Passport (DPP): TVS will develop an ontology and blockchain-based Digital Product Passport (DPP). This innovative solution will ensure traceability, security, and authenticity of healthcare devices and packaging, facilitating a more sustainable and transparent supply chain. TVS will also provide guidance on circular design principles.

Through these initiatives, TVS aims to address key environmental and social challenges while promoting the adoption of circular economy principles within the healthcare sector.

This project is funded by the European Commission’s Innovative Health Initiative (IHI) for Research and Innovation Actions under project no. 101166707.