Single-Use Autoinjector Line Meets Sustainability Goals with Renewable Feedstock

A new line of single-use autoinjectors blends environmental sustainability with cost reduction, according to UK-based Eco-inject. A key ingredient in this recipe is Ineos Styrolution’s NAS ECO 21 BC70 styrene acrylic copolymer, which is used to manufacture the device housing.

The material is suited for applications requiring a strong, stiff, water-clear plastic resin with thermal stability, said Ineos Styrolution in the announcement. NAS ECO is made using renewable feedstock, based on a mass balance process certified under ISCC Plus. The grade offers properties such as transparency, high surface quality, and low density, with a 93% carbon footprint reduction (CFR).

The Eco-inject product offers intuitive usability and versatility at lower cost, according to Eco-inject. It is available for 1 or 2.25-ml prefilled syringes in a single-use device configuration.

“At Eco-inject, we focus on solutions that are both economic and eco-friendly,” said John Palmer-Felgate, a seasoned industrial design engineer who founded the startup. “We are striving for sustainability and elegance while also reducing cost of goods. With Ineos Styrolution’s sustainable ECO materials, we can achieve just that. Using bio-based plastics dramatically reduces the carbon footprint of autoinjector devices, allowing them to meet increasingly stringent healthcare sustainability criteria. This will allow consumers to continue to benefit from using these self-administered devices in their own homes,” said Palmer-Felgate.

“It is exciting to see the healthcare segment embracing our sustainable ECO materials,” commented Bernd Elbert, business development manager for ECO and market development. “It is particularly inspiring to work with a company that shares similar values as Ineos Styrolution and is ready to explore new alternatives with a holistic approach addressing user needs and innovative design.”