Brought to you by Margot Honkoop from Philips
On Wednesday, February 5, our consortium peers from Ghent University and MIREC joined us for an insightful workshop on value chains, followed by an exciting tour of MIREC’s recycling plant. Rebecca Baaijens, Project Manager of European Subsidy Projects at MIREC, guided us through the facilities in the afternoon after an engaging morning session.
During the workshop in the morning, we focused on the value chains of ECG lead sets for both single-use and reusable cases. ECG lead sets are electrode cable systems used to transmit signals from patient electrodes to various electrocardiograph monitors for both diagnostic and monitoring purposes. In the industry, these kinds of consumables are designed for single-use and multi-use, whereas for multi-use, different reprocessing scenarios are available.
ECG lead set in DiCE
Our goal in the DiCE project is to compare different reprocessing scenarios for ECG lead sets, where the ECG lead sets are either directly or indirectly cleaned at the hospital site. The four different scenarios are assessed on multiple aspects, such as fit in the hospital workflow, costs, and environmental sustainability.
Each scenario presents a unique value chain, and our discussions in the workshop covered all of them in detail. We delved into various aspects of the value chains, such as the materials used in ECG lead sets, usage scenarios, transportation, and end-of-life processes. This detailed examination is crucial for building a comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for each scenario, covering the entire journey from manufacturing through the user phase and reprocessing loop, to eventual end-of-life. We looked at manufacturing, packaging and instructions for use, global and regional distribution, storage at hospital, use at hospital, and End-of-Life (EOL).
Visit at MIREC
The workshop in the morning perfectly led to our visit to MIREC. This visit allowed us to see first hand how our recycling partner dismantles electronic products. MIREC’s sophisticated recycling processes ensure that raw materials, such as (precious) metals and plastics, are maximally preserved and given a new purpose. This is achieved by their innovative and sophisticated mechanical sorting and separation processes. It was fascinating to observe the meticulous process of turning used electronic products into valuable resources.
Philips’ role in DiCE
In DiCE, our role includes assessing different reprocessing scenarios to challenge the traditional linear single-use model. The insights gained from both the workshop and the visit to MIREC are extremely valuable for this purpose.
For those interested in our work with DiCE, there are several exciting activities ongoing beyond mapping the value chain of the reprocessing scenarios for ECG lead sets. These include business modelling for reprocessing where we explore the commercial viability and strategic implementation of sustainable practices. We are also preparing a pilot study in hospitals to test the feasibility of the reprocessing scenarios. Additionally, we are working on the circular redesign of a medical sensor with TU Delft, ensuring that a new design incorporates principles of sustainability from the beginning.
Engaging with sustainable value chains is essential for driving innovation and sustainability in the healthcare industry. Our work with partners like University Ghent and MIREC is paving the way for a more circular and environmentally responsible future.
