Sempermed - an environmentally friendly organisation
Sempermed develops and manufactures a comprehensive range of single use surgical, examination and protective gloves covering all four state-of-the-art glove materials Latex (NRL), Nitrile (NBR), Vinyl (PVC) and Polyisoprene (IR). Nevertheless which production Sempermed is focusing on an environmentally friendly way to produce and has implemented the Semperit Environmental Management System in all production facilities. Find below different examples of implementation.
Using natural sources in production
in respect of the environment the material of choice is Natural Rubber Latex (NRL). Often referred to simply as “latex” this is the traditional glove material that has not lost its superiority in terms of comfort, perfect fit, and elasticity. Being a natural product, originating as sap of the rubber tree, it contributes to a clean environment: the living tree absorbs CO2 and provides the raw material latex milk. After around six years of growing and another period of up to twenty years of harvest, the trees are used as firewood providing the heat necessary for curing – the process changing the milky substance into a flexible rubber - in the production process.
Vinyl glove production with low risk plasticiser
Sempermed Vinyl examination gloves are DOP-free and based on raw materials which comply with the REACH Regulation.
What does “DOP-free ” mean ?
DOP (Dioctyl-phthalate), often also referred to as DEHP (Diethylhexylphthalate), is a so-called Vinyl plasticiser. Plasticisers are used to give the essentially hard and brittle raw material PVC (polyvinyl chloride) its rubberlike properties, making the material malleable and elastic for glove production, while at the same time keeping it dimensionally stable. Because PVC and plasticiser are not connected by chemical bonding, the plasticiser can migrate out of the product in small amounts so it can get into the environment and into the human body.
After extensive investigations, the EU has classified DOP as a hazardous substance for reproduction (Category 2: toxic to reproduction and development) and included it in the so-called “SVHC Candidate List” as a Sempermed medical gloves contain neither DOP nor any other substance included in the SVHC list. Sempermed uses DINP (Di-isononyl-phthalate) as vinyl plasticiser, which is not classified as hazardous to health by the EU.substance of very high concern” (SVHC).
200-piece packaging
Sempermed is always striving to improve process flows, optimise the usage of resources and improve efficiency in all areas of value added. The new 200-piece packaging unit is an important contribution not only for our customers, but also for our environment and available for the following brands:
Sempercare Nitrile
Sempercare Nitrile skin²
Sempercare Vinyl powdered
Sempercare Vinyl powder-free
Sempercare Nitrile Shine
Semperguard Nitrile Xtra lite
Semperguard Nitrile Xenon
Sustainability and environmental awareness are important issues of our day. The new 200-piece packaging unit helps by:
• Fewer order placements because each packaging unit lasts longer,
fewer replacement processes at the dispenser, and less manipulation in the warehouse
• More efficient stock-keeping thanks to the reduced volume of the 200-piece packaging by comparison with the old packaging size
• Lower distribution costs due to longer restocking intervals
• Reducing the packaging material and thus reducing the waste volume
• Reducing the shipping volume and improving transport efficiency
