The project, Beyond Single-Use Plastics: Processing Innovation Driving Sustainable Pharmaceutical Packaging (SusPack), is coordinated by the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and delivered by a consortium of 12 partners. SusPack focuses on industry-led innovation to advance sustainable medicines manufacturing in the UK, addressing waste reduction, emissions control, and energy efficiency. The project has been awarded funding under the Innovate UK Sustainable Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Programme (SMMIP) Grand Challenge.
This initiative supports efforts to accelerate the shift to circular pharmaceutical packaging in line with the NHS Net Zero 2040 commitment. The healthcare and pharmaceutical sector currently generates more than 230,000 tonnes of predominantly single-use plastic each year, yet concerns around contamination, regulatory compliance, and end-of-life processes have limited progress.
To help overcome these barriers, Nextek will apply its scCO₂-based technology platform to advance the development and adoption of high-performance, smart, and sustainable packaging that maintains product safety, performance, and integrity throughout the supply chain.
