In its international research and networking project CIMPLE (Circular Medical Plastics Engineering) the Technical University of Munich TUM collaborates with KNUST from Ghana, ASTU from Ethiopia and the OTH Amberg Weiden from Germany.
The high amount of medical plastic waste is a great burden for our environment. Currently, it is normally disposed almost entirely by incineration after only one use. However, plastics used for medical products are often well-defined, high-quality polymers. The aim of our CIMPLE project is therefore to develop organizational and technological strategies for medical to medical recycling or refurbishment of medical plastic products, taking into account the global dimension of the medical plastics industry. These research activities are flanked by the establishment of an international integrated training center based at KNUST Ghana, which brings expertise from colleagues to the project and directs the R&D results to application-oriented use including teaching. Furthermore yearly conferences on the topic are being realized.