Amid the devastation caused by the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, which is still intensifying and causing a wide range of adverse effects on healthcare workers and the public, there are two primary challenges that need to be addressed: a rising amount of infectious waste because of the rapid pace of new infection cases and a growing number of personal protective equipment (PPEs) used during the pandemic.
Chemicals Business, SCG, realizes the gravity of the situation and has developed a series of innovations to fulfill the needs of healthcare and public health workers and the public. To cater to the needs, the company has presented its highlight products: “Sharps Disposal Bin” and “VAROGARD Mask”.
Innovation for Infectious Waste
According to the Department of Health, during the recent lockdown, the number of infectious waste generated in over 37,000 medical facilities, including public and private hospitals and health centers, increased by 2,000 kilograms per day, compared to normal circumstances, when medical facilities produced about 65 tons of infectious waste per day.
All medical facilities were in search of solutions to properly dispose of massive amounts of infection waste, including needles, syringes, specimen collecting tubes, and nasopharyngeal swabs. Some of them frequently leak out mishaps before being safely and adequately disposed of.
Enter the Sharps Disposal Bin, an innovation developed by Chemicals Business, SCG, to address the problem mentioned above. It is designed with user safety in mind, enabling healthcare and public health workers to discard needles and syringes using a one-hand operation technique, eliminating risks associated with needle extraction. The innovation is built in a rectangular shape that allows it to be neatly put in nurse carts and corners. The bin features handles for better portability while also keeping workers safe. It is also easy to assemble and space-efficient.
The sharps disposal bin, in particular, has a minimal environmental impact because it is composed of environmentally friendly special-grade polypropylene for thin-wall injection molding. The chosen polypropylene grade consumes less plastic while maintaining the same strength. As a result, the bin weighs 8 percent less and emits 32 percent less carbon dioxide.
Innovation for Personal Wellness
Wearing a face mask is one of the ways to help prevent and minimize the spread of COVID-19. Chemicals Business, SCG, has launched VAROGARD, a hygenic product series designed to enhance confidence in persons with high-risk respiratory infections or those who live in crowded areas and vulnerable groups such as patients, the elderly, and children. VAROGARD Mask is the product introduced as part of the series.
VAROGARD Mask is a 3D high-performance single-use face mask capable of filtering and blocking up to 98 percent of bacteria and tested by the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University. The product can filter up to 95 percent of fine particulate matter, ranging from PM 2.5 to PM 0.1. The unique feature that distinguishes VAROGARD Mask from other face masks in the market is the coating of HeiQ Viroblock, a technology from Switzerland.
“The HeiQ Viroblock is a formulation that contains a minute amount of recycled silver active ingredient and fatty liposome vesicle components. It is EU REACH and US FIFRA compliant, Oeko Tex certified, ZDHC, and Bluesign homologized. Treated textile articles are compliant with EU BPR and US EPA. HeiQ Viroblock respirator masks with the antibacterial surface have been registered as a medical device by Swiss medic and approved by US FDA,” said Carlo Centonze, founder and CEO of HeiQ Group.
Chemicals Business, SCG, is committed to consistently developing innovations that improve medical comfort and people’s quality of life. Examples of our product highlights include SCG PP Melt-Blown, Negative Pressure Isolation Room, Negative/Positive Pressure Isolation Chamber, and other medical plastics products. Chemicals Business will continue its sustained effort to develop products, services, and solutions to meet customers’ ever-changing needs.