The Evolution of a Single-Use Sustainable Solution

In an industry where sustainability is becoming increasingly important, the debate between reusable and single-use ophthalmic products is more relevant than ever. Medicel AG (Altenrhein, Switzerland), a global leader in IOL injectors and advanced injection systems, is challenging the common belief that reusable instruments are greener and cleaner. With their new sustainable product line – terralution – Medicel aims to prove that single-use instruments can indeed be more environmentally friendly.

It’s a familiar scene in the world of medical supplies: rows of shiny, reusable instruments neatly sterilized and ready for their next use. The prevailing thought has always been that these items, designed to be used over and over again, must surely be the greener choice. After all, as the logic goes, fewer disposables mean less waste and a smaller environmental footprint. But what if that’s not the whole story? What if the meticulous cleaning, the sterilization processes, and the materials used in manufacturing these reusables actually have a hidden environmental cost?

Enter terralution, Medicel’s new climate-conscious product family. This line includes single-use surgical instruments such as IOL injectors and I/A handpieces designed to meet the highest medical requirements in terms of user performance and patient safety. Manufactured with environmentally friendly materials and resource-saving production technologies, terralution aims to reduce the carbon footprint of ophthalmic surgeries.

Procycons (Frankfurt, Germany), an independent, external institute carried out a life cycle analysis on terralution and comparable reusable systems. “[The] analyses have shown that the concept of ecological reusables is often not correct,” said Mauro Bühler , CEO of Medicel. “If you examine the entire life cycle of a product, including reprocessing, reusable products do not necessarily achieve better results than those that are only used once.”

“Our DUALCEL™ injector and our BICEL™ I/A handpieces from our new sustainable terralution range, for example, have a carbon footprint that is up to 51% smaller than comparable reusable products,” Mr. Bühler explained. This reduction is achieved through a combination of eco-design principles, smaller product sizes and the use of bio-based, high performance materials.

Reprocessing reusable instruments is an energy-intensive process that requires significant amounts of water and energy. “The complex and high-energy recycling process for reusable products has a considerable negative impact on the environment,” Mr. Bühler pointed out. “It not only needs a lot of energy for production, reprocessing and disposal methodas, but also a lot of water.”

“Our DUALCEL™ injector and our BICEL™ I/A handpieces from our new sustainable terralution range, for example, have a carbon footprint that is up to 51% smaller than comparable reusable product.” — Mauro Bühler

Terralution products also come in environmentally friendly packaging. The blister pack has a lower CO2 footprint, and the recyclable box is made of grass paper, which requires no chemicals and whose grass fiber content has minimal water consumption. “Unlike wood, grass grows very quickly and can be harvested several times a year,” Mr. Bühler highlighted. “The entire process consumes very little energy and saves up to 75% of CO2 emissions.”

Another aspect that contributes to the sustainability of terralution is the local production in Switzerland. “Almost all of our manufacturing processes are located in Switzerland at our facility in Altenrhein. This regional value chain means shorter distances and fewer transport emissions,” explained Mr. Bühler.

The terralution range is not just about being green; it’s also about high performance. DUALCEL terralution, a sustainable injector alternative, features a smaller product design with the same performance features. It offers maximum flexibility and safety through various loading methods and a wide range of cartridges and incision sizes.

BICEL terralution, on the other hand, combines the best properties of the current Medicel product family into one eco-friendly I/A instrument. Its aeroplane-shaped cannulas and new handpiece design ensure intuitive handling and precise control.

Despite partially smaller and lighter than conventional products, terralution instruments do not compromise on performance. “One of the basic requirements was, naturally, that handling and reliability should be at least as good as with the conventional products. We achieved this goal very successfully,” said Mr. Bühler. “Such a performance with brilliant environmental values—this has really exceeded our expectations.”

Building on the excellent environmental and performance outcomes of terralution, Medicel is committed to incorporating sustainability into all future product developments. “Terralution makes us very proud as a company and is the starting point for all future product developments. We want to think about sustainability in a holistic way for the future,” Mr. Bühler concluded.

Medicel’s terralution range challenges the common conception that reusable products are more sustainable. By combining eco friendly materials, innovative design and local production, Medicel has created a single-use product line that is both green and clean. As the industry continues to prioritize sustainability, terralution sets a new standard for environmentally friendly ophthalmic instruments, helping companies, hospitals and surgeons achieve their climate and sustainability goals.