10106455Evolving the sustainable single use wash bowl- Understanding how the stability against detergents can be obtained without the use of polyfluoroalkyl substances.ClosedCollaborative R&DInnovate UKVernacare, a global, award-winning infection prevention company supplying the healthcare sector, is undertaking a comprehensive exploration of sustainable detergent proofing additives to understand and evaluate their suitability as alternatives to current chemicals. While we have extensively explored various alternative additives, we have yet to find a commercially satisfactory solution for all our components due to the stringent testing and performance required from our products. The primary objective of our project is to identify a solution that enables us to implement a more environmentally friendly additive to our process and remove compounds which are known to have adverse effects to the environment. By achieving this change, we aim to produce a high performing environmentally friendly infection prevention solution which can be used in healthcare facilities around the world, thus advancing our commitment to environmental sustainability. To accomplish our goal, and through the support from our A4I partner, the Sustainable Materials Innovation (SMI) Hub within the Henry Royce Institute at the University of Manchester, we will conduct an analysis of the composition and structure of the washbowls to understand how the additives distribute within the wash bowl. We will then be able to understand how the additives provide the waterproofing and detergent resistance, ultimately letting us to determine the key attributes of the additive. Through this collaboration, we will explore the fundamental properties of the detergent proofing action that will lead to different chemical compounds to be used in our manufacturing process. This will be enabled by a detailed literature review and commercial product deep dive on additives to provide a directly informed selection of sustainable substitutes. The collaboration will leverage the Henry Royce Institute at the University of Manchester's academic expertise, analysis capability and insights in the field of sustainable materials and structure-property relationship within polymeric materials. Through our project, we aim to not only reduce our carbon footprint and environmental impacts but also contribute to the broader goals of promoting sustainable manufacturing practices within the healthcare sector and ultimately reducing the scope 3 emissions of our customers. By finding a viable solution to migrate to more environmentally friendly alternatives, we anticipate significant positive impacts in terms of waste reduction, resource conservation, and environmental preservation. Furthermore, the outcomes of our project will have far-reaching implications beyond Vernacare. We are committed to sharing our findings, experiences, and best practices with other industry players where there is no breach of commercial advantage.