Getinge presents DPTE-BetaBag® made from sustainable materials

Getinge demonstrates its commitment to sustainable innovations by introducing a new version of the DPTE-BetaBag® for sterile transfer. A new Beta part, made mostly from plastics derived from renewable sources, reduces the CO2 footprint of the BetaBags without compromising their sterile transfer capabilities.

"More and more customers are demanding environmentally friendly measures, and we are rising to the challenge," says Anis Kara, Product Line Manager Life Science at Getinge.

The DPTE® system, introduced 60 years ago, was the world's first mechanical containment system. The fully sealed system features an alpha port in the wall of a barrier system and a Beta container or Beta bag. By docking and rotating the Beta part by 60 degrees, a secure connection with the alpha port is established.

Getinge's development team utilized the increasing availability of sustainable raw materials and focused on introducing renewable plastics into the Beta series, which was previously made from polycarbonate (PC) derived from fossil oil, without impairing the performance of the disposable bag.

"Therefore, the majority of the plastic is made from renewable resources such as biomass waste and residues of biological origin, e.g., used cooking oil," explains Anis.

To ensure all aspects were covered, the new Beta part underwent a broad range of tests. These included functional tests with standard parts, autoclaved and gamma-irradiated parts, function and leak tests, dimensional comparisons of parts, chemical analyses of both raw materials and injection-molded parts, and injection tests.

A holistic view—from raw material extraction through production, distribution, and use to recycling and disposal—is a key component of Getinge's EcoDesign efforts.

"We also conducted a life cycle assessment (LCA) of the DPTE-BetaBag® to determine its CO2 footprint. To ensure transparency, the results and statements are verified by a third party," says Anna Runa Kristinsdottir, Environmental and Sustainability Specialist Life Science at Getinge.