The challenge
Medical gloves are essential for ensuring proper hygiene during medical procedures and examinations. Typically, medical-grade gloves are made from synthetic rubbers, for example nitrile. However, a key downside of using synthetic rubbers is that the gloves typically take a significant number of years to decompose.
An alternative is to use a natural rubber mix, which is considered more environmentally friendly due to it being a natural resource and, during the glove production process, results in a lower carbon footprint when compared to processing synthetic rubber which is more energy intensive.
The partnership
Levidian has been working with Malaysian glove manufacturer, Meditech Gloves, and UK-based Cranfield University, on the development and manufacture of new surgical and examination gloves with a better environmental footprint.
Through a revised manufacturing process to deliver more sustainable, biodegradeable, protein-free, natural rubber gloves, Meditech and Cranfield University have been able to unlock time and energy savings of up to 50%. This is thanks to a new formulation of natural latex that helps to make the process of the glove manufacture faster and more energy efficient.
Included in this work is the addition of Levidian’s net zero graphene to the glove formulation, helping to further enhance the environmental benefits whilst boosting the operational performance of the gloves.
The solution
Levidian has supplied Cranfield University and Meditech with high-quality graphene which has been added to ½ million gloves that are now undergoing tests and showing significant preliminary results.
By infusing the natural rubber used by Meditech with less than 0.1% of graphene, early results have shown that the gloves have become stronger - a significant benefit that will offer better protection to medical professionals in practice. Graphene is also an incredibly flexible and stretchy material, meaning the added dexterity and flexibility gained from its use in the glove formulation is extremely beneficial for surgeons who spend long hours in the surgical theatre.
These physical property improvements offer much-needed reassurances to medical professionals who require the highest quality medical grade gloves.
Additionally, compared to a standard latex rubber glove that would normally take up to two years to biodegrade, the graphene-enhanced gloves are taking just over a year - around 45% faster. This is a significant advancement in improving the overall environmental impact of the gloves, supporting the energy savings made in the production process with the increased biodegradability at the end of their usable life.
Next steps
Meditech is now in the process of completing the required testing on the way to achieve all the necessary certifications to launch the gloves to market.
The patented graphene-enhanced gloves will be the first of their kind in the world for medical use, with the results opening up the possibility for Meditech to diversify this formulation for the production of industrial grade gloves.
““We have been producing medical grade gloves for 20 years, but the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the need to make gloves as safety conscious as possible while also reducing the life-cycle impact on the environment. Through our work with Cranfield University and the inclusion of Levidian’s graphene, we have shown that increased performance and responsible manufacturing can go hand-in-hand.
”It is an exciting development for the industry, and while the ability to take a graphene material and mix it with latex seemed impossible on the surface, this partnership has shown how innovative industries can be through powerful collaboration.” ”
About Meditech Gloves
Meditech Gloves is a producer of high-quality natural rubber examination and natural rubber surgical gloves. The company is recognised by the Malaysian Rubber Board as the producer of the highest quality medical grade gloves.
*Initial lab-based results have shown a 45% increase in biodegradability when compared to a standard latex rubber glove.
How can we help?
To find out more about our work with Meditech Gloves, or discuss your project, get in touch below.
