-
Sekisui Alveo AG
Ebikonerstrasse 75
6043 Adligenswil
SWITZERLAND
P +41 41 228 92 92
info@sekisuialveo.com
www.sekisuialveo.com
Head Office
Sustainable polyolefin foams: resource-saving carrier in medical applications
Adligenswil, Switzerland, October 2026 – Sustainable and compliant with biocompatibility norms: Medical grade Alveolit PE based foams, are now available with a certified sustainability.
This contribution to the healthcare sector from Sekisui Alveo was prompted by the search for PE based foams that fulfil the requirements on sustainability and at the same time meet the regulatory compliance requirements of biocompatibility without resource intensive testing and thereby reducing the new sustainable product implementation timelines significantly.
Various medical applications and procurement departments of health care sector require reliable information on sustainable physically crosslinked polyolefin foam-based products, which are also certified by an independent third party. Sekisui Alveo has chosen International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC PLUS), to certify its foam products which ensures transparency and traceability along the entire supply chain. This also confirms that the certificate holder meets the prescribed environmental and social standards and supports various stakeholders to make credible and verifiable decisions on selecting sustainable medical grade foams that contribute to saving fossil resources along the supply chain.
Bio-circular feedstock
In the manufacturing process of certified Alveolit foams, a bio-circular polymer with significantly low carbon footprint which contributes to sustainability is used in conjunction with a fossil-based polymer via the ISCC mass balance bio-attribution approach. Along the raw material supply chain, a part of the fossil feedstock is replaced by the converted biomass feedstock based on waste and/or residue. This circular biomass does not compete with the human food chain and comes from deforestation-free sources. Along the whole supply chain, this certification standard guarantees the protection of biodiverse and carbon-rich areas with strict requirements on human, labour and land rights.
Regulatory compliance (Biocompatibility)
Based on external tests of various medical grade foams at accredited laboratories, compliance with biocompatibility (ISO 10993-1) is confirmed. Therefore, these foams can be used in various surface devices with direct skin contact (e.g.: ECG electrodes, wound care plasters, ostomy, nose clips etc) and in sealing of medical devices. For specific application conditions of surface devices where prolonged contact with intact skin is a requirement, compliance of these foams with ISO 10993-18 is aligned.
‘These sustainable polyolefin foams support the healthcare sector to reduce Scope 3 emissions from its medical supplies,’ says Satish Palika, Application Development Manager, Adligenswil, Switzerland. ‘Certified sustainable foams contribute to the green procurement targets of the healthcare sector.’
Adhesive-friendly
These medical grade PE based foams are uniquely adhesive-friendly and are compatible with various medical grade pressure-sensitive adhesives. This enables that the stability of the component in contact with skin or device is maintained, thereby reducing the frequency of changes or replacement during the use phase, where required. This in turn contributes to the goals of waste reduction in the healthcare industry.
Lightweight and soft
PE based foams are lighter in area weight compared to the film-based components of similar thickness thereby contributing to significant material savings in the healthcare industry. Due to lightweight profile, flexibility and softness, foams provide cushioning, comfort and pressure relief in various medical applications.
Availability
Medical grade Alveolit foams with bio-circular attribution are available from a thickness of 0.16 mm to 8 mm (e.g.: Alveolit TL SRZ BC 1800). Various area weights of the foam carrier are possible depending on the application requirements.
Meet the Experts at Foam Expo
Industry professionals will have the opportunity to meet the foam experts from Sekisui Alveo at Foam Expo Europe in Stuttgart, Germany, from 10 to 12 November 2026. The team will be available to discuss sustainable foam solutions, regulatory requirements, and innovative material concepts for medical applications. Visitors are invited to exchange ideas on current challenges and future projects with Sekisui Alveo's specialists.
Alveo®, Alveolit®, Alveolen®, Alveocel®, Alveosoft®, Alveobloc®, Alveosport®, Alveotec® and Evalen® are registered trademarks of Sekisui Alveo AG. The information contained herein is correct to the best of our knowledge and is given in good faith. © Sekisui Alveo, Adligenswil, Switzerland.