PuurPak

Abstract

LAYCO Medical Devices BV needs a packaging solution for their new product, vela®, a
reusable vacuum extraction device aimed at replacing single-use devices in Dutch hospitals
by 2025. The challenge was to design packaging that not only meets stringent medical
and logistical requirements in the Netherlands, but also aligns with LAYCO’s commitment
to sustainability, reducing environmental impact while ensuring the device’s safety and
usability.

The proposed packaging solution is a compact box made of corrugated board. The use of
this material has a low environmental impact as it is renewable and easy to recycle. The
corrugated board cutout of the packaging is cunningly designed to fold into a rigid box with
designated placeholders for the product parts. The folding and unfolding of the packaging
is specifically designed to increase the ease of use.

The packaging solution accumulates 0.046 Grams of CO2eq. in its life cycle whilst competitor
packaging solutions are responsible for at least double this number. The design stimulates
correct disposal through its usecues. The solution is seamlessly implementable in the existing
systems in the healthcare ecosystem. The protective capabilities are validated in several
tests with extreme conditions.

The importance of this project lies in the fact that packaging solutions currently are all
designed to be disposed of. While the transition to a world without the need for disposable
packagnig is desired in order to sustain life on earth in the long run, smaller changes right
now can significantly decrease our impact on the environment. In this thesis it is explained
that by redesigning disposable packaging solutions, we can already half our impact today.