CPI and Owen Mumford aim to help NHS hit net-zero targets

CPI is collaborating with Owen Mumford and other industry leaders on a new project to make the manufacturing and supply of medical drug injection devices significantly more sustainable. Around 2.5 billion of these devices are manufactured globally every year and this number is expected to grow to about 10 billion by 2030. Currently, the vast majority are used once and then sent to landfill or for incineration. 

The project, called ​“Remanufacturing for a Sustainable Future in Combination Injection Devices (ReSCiD)”, aims to build a circular economy model for these devices. It will develop processes for their return, disassembly, decontamination and re-manufacture to enable their reintegration into the supply chain. It will also work with regulators to demonstrate that such a circular ecosystem can be safe for patients as well as better for the environment. 

In the project’s initial phase, we will build a consortium of industry partners and help secure funding to take the project forward. If approved, the consortium will then develop and operate the circular manufacturing model to prove it’s viable from practical, financial, commercial, and regulatory perspectives – and that it can deliver the calculated carbon savings. 

Shifting from a linear to a circular model could reduce the carbon footprint associated with disposable injection devices by at least 95%. Not only would this help the NHS meet its 2045 net-zero target, but it would also position the UK as a leader in sustainable medical device manufacturing. 

With the consortium-building phase already underway, this transformative project marks an exciting step towards sustainable, circular medical devices. 

Tom Harvey, Technology Lead at CPI, said:

“ReSCiD is breaking new ground in sustainable healthcare manufacturing. Until now, the idea of remanufacturing medical injection devices at scale has been largely unexplored, but this initiative will prove that it’s possible. Together with our partners, we’re tackling technical and logistical challenges head-on, pioneering a shift that could transform the industry and significantly reduce its environmental impact.”

Alex Fong, Research & Insights Manager at Owen Mumford, said:

“The ReSCiD project could transform how injection devices are manufactured and reduce the need for single-use disposal. A circular model will continue delivering the best results for patients, while dramatically reducing the environmental impact associated with their supply. We are excited to work alongside CPI in leading the way towards a more responsible and sustainable future for medical device manufacturing.”