Peritoneal Dialysis. Environmentally Sustainable PD Fresenius Medical Care is thinking ahead

Transcription

1 Peritoneal Dialysis Environmentally Sustainable PD Fresenius Medical Care is thinking ahead

2 Environmentally Sustainable Peritoneal Dialysis In the workplace, each individual is expected to proactively make decisions to secure the future and reputation of Fresenius Medical Care. Issues such as safety, care, production quality, compliance and environmental protection should be second nature to all of us. Responsibility means knowing what to do, when to act and making things happen. (Dr. Emanuele Gatti, Chief Executive Officer for Europe, Latin America, Middle East and Africa) Fresenius Medical Care is thinking ahead Since the nineties, Fresenius Medical Care s Quality Policy has stated: In the center of all our efforts is the health and welfare of the human being. By acknowledging our responsibility for the patients, our employees, our shareholders and the community we commit ourselves to a sustainable development. Environmental protection is defined as one element of Fresenius Medical Care s engagement for sustainable development. Following this strategy, a multitude of programmes and activities were established in order to reduce the company s environmental impact while defining goals for measuring successes: Improve awareness, motivation and communication regarding environmental protection Continue to improve the ecoefficiency of our production and logistics processes as well as our dialysis services Ongoing roll-out of our Environmental Management System, certified according to the international standard ISO Cooperate with authorities and organizations to promote a sustainable industry Promotion of our environmentally sound products Fresenius Medical Care s Milestones in Environmental Management 1996 Market introduction of first PDproducts made of Biofine 1996 First environmental certification according to ISO of our production plants in Germany 1998/1999 Establishment of our corporate Environmental Management System and certification according to ISO Introduction of an international eco-controlling system 2001 First environmental certification according to ISO of our dialysis clinics in Portugal 2007 Release of our first corporate environmental programme

3 Biofine Biofine is free of any plasticizer, like DEHP that is commonly used in PVC materials. The innovative material for PD Fresenius Medical Care introduced environmentally friendly PD products into the market in 1996 when stay safe CAPD was presented as the first system made entirely out of Biofine. Since then many other PVCfree products have followed. Biofine is a revolutionary material, a seven-layer polymer constructed from hydrogen and carbon atoms. Biofine a multi-layer polymer Some of its advantages are: PVC-free and plasticizer-free Requires the use of less material (60% thinner than PVC) Generates less waste Does not release hydrochloric acid upon incineration Less energy needed for production Can be easily recycled Biofine has a different molecular structure than PVC. It is 60% thinner, thus saving valuable raw materials, reducing waste and making it easier to recycle disposables. PD bags and disposables made of Biofine are an excellent choice for our patients and offer the following advantages: Preserves the PD solution safely Excellent foil transparency Based on all these qualities, Biofine received wide recognition all over the world (including a valuable certification from the Nordic Ecolabel organization).

4 Nordic Ecolabel Organization (SWAN) First health care company certified by Nordic Ecolabel (SWAN) It makes perfect sense for the World Leader in Dialysis to work in co - operation with the World Ecolabelling Leader. The Nordic Ecolabel organization (SWAN) was established in 1989 by the Nordic Countries Council of Ministers with the purpose of providing an environmental labelling system that would contribute to sustainable development. To do this, very strict criteria were developed for product groups. It was also initiated as a practical tool for consumers to help them actively choose environmentally friendly products, and thereby make a contribution to better environmental sustainability. A special criteria document (containing strict environmental requirements) was created by Nordic Ecolabel for Peritonial Dialysis disposables. Recognized as the world s leading ecolabel organization, Nordic Ecolabel states that the certified products fulfil several requirements such as: No PVC plastic Virtually total ban on environmentally unsafe additives Ban on additives shown to have or suspected of having hormonal impact Ban on cancerogenic and mutagenic substances that affect reproduction Ban on allergenic additives etc. All these requirements and others besides are fulfilled by our environmentally friendly PD products.

5 Environmental life cycle We know how to care for the environment Research for environmentally safe products & materials Increase eco-efficiency Recycling-friendly Lower waste generation No emission of toxic hydro- Research chloric acid if incinerated Use less raw materials Recycling & Disposal Products Production Use best production technologies Minimize energy and water usage Minimize waste Use Logistics Protect our patients and the environment from DEHP and any other toxic substances Less weight fewer emissions from transportation Optimize movement and storage of goods

6 F GB (0 PUR 02.09) Copyright 2009 Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH Bad Homburg v. d. H. Germany Phone: +49 (0) Fax: +49 (0) Head office: Else-Kröner-Straße Bad Homburg v. d. H.