At the European Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS) Congress in Barcelona, Medicel will launch of its terralution product family, which consists of single-use injectors and I/A handpieces.
The new product range provides not only superior safety, cleanliness, and performance, but also an environmental advantage over traditional reusable systems, according to Switzerland-based Medicel. The terralution range has a carbon footprint up to 51% smaller than that of comparable reusable systems. According to a life cycle analysis conducted by an independent institute, the environmental benefits of terralution stem from both the reduced use of unsustainable raw materials in reusable systems and the high energy consumption required for their reprocessing and disposal. Medicel said the terralution range provides hospitals, clinics, and surgical centers with a solution to help them meet their environmental and sustainability targets more effectively than with reusable alternatives.
“Single-use products and sustainability are no longer contradictions in ophthalmic surgery,” Mauro Bühler, CEO of Medicel, said in a company news release. "The results of the life cycle analysis raise a question: can reusable systems truly be considered sustainable?"
A Radical Approach to Eco-Design
Medicel said the terralution range is the result of a comprehensive development process rooted in eco-design principles. The product dimensions and packaging have been minimized, and conventional materials have been replaced by bio-based, recyclable, and renewable alternatives. Additionally, production processes have been optimized across the value chain to reduce resource consumption.
“The effort was worth it,” Mr. Bühler said. “We've achieved significant reductions in material consumption, waste, water usage, CO2 emissions, and other environmental indicators—without compromising performance, safety, or quality.”
In addition to its environmental credentials, the terralution range offers several practical advantages. Dualcel terralution stands out for its smaller product design, which maintains the same high-performance features while offering surgeons greater freedom of use. Both Dualcel and Bicel terralution products are designed with high purity standards, ensuring safety during procedures.