VIENNA, Austria—Semperit A.G. and Polymer Competence Center Leoben GmbH have received the European EARTO 2016 innovation award in Brussels for development of a unique surgical glove.
Called Sempermed Syntegra UV, the glove is the first anti-allergenic surgical glove produced globally, Semperit claimed. Made from polyisoprene, the glove features innovative production technology, unique product characteristics and an energy efficient manufacturing process, the company said. The glove is cured using UV light instead of chemical accelerators, Semperit said.
Glove development partners Semperit and PCCL prevailed against 35 competitors to win the EARTO (European Association of Research and Technology Organisation) award.
Calling the EARTO the most important European innovation award, Richard Ehrenfeldner, chief operating officer of Semperit's Sempermed business, said “with the Sempermed Syntegra UV, we have succeeded in developing a surgical glove that prevents allergic reactions. Since it was brought onto the market in 2013, it has enabled us to contribute to an improvement in the quality of life of millions of professionals in the European healthcare sector.”
He said the company was extremely happy to bring the EARTO award to Austria.
Martin Payer, chairman of PCCL's board, said that “the EARTO is a major recognition of our research work for several years. Our goal was a results-oriented, efficient research that we were able to realize in the best way with Semperit as our partner. The next innovation by PCCL and Semperit is already in the pipeline.”
He did not elaborate on the new innovation.
In addition to the innovative production technology, the EARTO judges also were convinced by the unique properties of the Sempermed Syntegra UV, according to Semperit. The glove is gentle on the skin and is equivalent to a premium latex surgical glove in terms of tactile sense, wearer comfort and fit, the firm said.
Another factor was the energy-efficient manufacturing process, which by means of lower temperatures and higher throughput rates leads to a significant reduction in the CO2 footprint. The process is patented and has already received a number of awards.
EARTO is an international non-profit organization based in Brussels. With the EARTO award, it recognizes innovations that bring substantial social or economic benefits to the European Union.