April 7, 2025 – AIMPLAS, the Spanish plastics technology center, has unveiled groundbreaking research that revitalizes the use of sustainable materials in the medical field. The study reveals that flexible PVC (polyvinyl chloride), widely utilized in medical devices, maintains its critical performance indicators even after undergoing up to six mechanical recycling cycles. This finding provides a crucial scientific basis for the circular utilization of medical plastics, stemming from the “PVC Circular Project” commissioned by VinylPlus Healthcare, an emerging industry organization.
The research team meticulously designed experiments to simulate real-world recycling scenarios. They selected typical samples such as infusion tubes and medical catheters for hemodialysis systems, subjecting them to six complete recycling cycles, including shredding, extrusion, and injection molding processes. Throughout the entire procedure, no new additives were introduced to closely mimic actual recycling conditions. The results demonstrated that after six cycles, the tensile strength and plasticizer content of the flexible PVC remained stable, showcasing its remarkable mechanical properties.
Notably, as per insights from the Color Masterbatch Industry Network, the study also found a slight decline in the thermal stability of flexible PVC after multiple cycles, particularly a minor degradation in static thermal stability after the fourth cycle. However, during dynamic thermal stability tests, the material’s durability under processing conditions remained robust. Additionally, after six cycles, the material exhibited a slight yellowing, indicating that multiple recycling processes might impact its aesthetic appeal.
This research has garnered widespread recognition within the industry and spurred parallel studies by chemical giant BASF. BASF’s findings indicate that another PVC-P formulation can endure up to eleven extrusion cycles, albeit with yellowing observed after the sixth cycle.
Charlotte Röber, Managing Director of VinylPlus, commented, “The multi-cycle recycling capability of rigid PVC has already been widely acknowledged, and this study further confirms that soft PVC shares this characteristic. This undoubtedly reinforces the advantageous position of vinyl materials in mechanical recycling and provides strong support for establishing a dedicated recycling system in the medical field.”
This research not only expands the scientific evidence for PVC recyclability but also underscores the urgency of establishing a closed-loop system for medical plastics. As a new platform integrating initiatives like VinylPlus Med and VinylPlus PharmPack, VinylPlus Healthcare is committed to promoting a more comprehensive evaluation of PVC materials within the industry, recognizing both their technological advantages and their potential for sustainable evolution, thereby contributing to the sustainable development of the medical sector.