Through goal-oriented exchanges with industrial and academic experts within the PREVENT Waste Alliance, TUM demonstrates innovative ways in which technical solutions can contribute to achieving various sustainability targets through a range of collective projects. One practical starting point is the MedTech OneWorld initiative, part of the academic chair of medical technology materials and implants, which researches medical technology in developing countries. In order to achieve collective advances in the field of prosthetics with local partners, existing manufacturing technologies in the field of plastics technology and locally-available materials were used. The idea of using local plastic waste for recycling and upcycling to be used as medical technology then came about.
Besides the ecological benefits, the circular economy also involves an economic dimension in terms of sustainable resource management. In addition to the concepts that pertain to our university specifically, the economic implications are already crucial for sustainable development within developing countries. All stakeholders – from collection to processing to resale – must benefit, in order to avoid any vulnerabilities within the supply chain. Taking all these aspects into account, research shows the opportunities for technical applications and how they should be introduced selectively through international partnerships.