Sustainable development
Phazing out PVC
The companies in the Asker Healthcare Group introduce many initiatives and innovations to drive progress towards a more sustainable healthcare ecosystem, a commitment shared by Asker group and its customers.
As part of this work, Asker is constantly exploring alternative materials, both for products produced by group companies and products sourced from partners. One of the materials Asker is seeking to phase out is polyvinylchloride, commonly known as PVC.
PVC is a versatile material widely used in the medical industry. In 2020 it accounted for about 40% of all plastics-based medical devices used in hospitals. As a result of adverse impacts during disposal and low recycling rates, this common use of PVC is not optimal from an environmental point of view. PVC is also often used in combination with plasticizers which can leak out of products and have adverse effects on human health and the environment.
Asker is increasingly seeking to provide customers with alternatives to PVC and actively promote the benefits of substituting PVC products with a PVC-free alternative. For example, since 2021, Evercare offers the product series evercare® inLine, a product portfolio with a full range of PVC free infusion and injection sets.