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Still the top choice for patient safety, now better for the planet as well.

�ղⱹ���® with Renewable Attribution represents the same �ղⱹ���® Healthcare Packaging Products that are the top choice of healthcare and medical device manufacturers globally to help enable patient safety – now with improved sustainability. We at k8���� are proud to continue providing unmatched product performance and quality, while helping enable meaningful packaging carbon footprint reduction, in line with protecting the planet, a core value for us and our value chain partners.

�ղⱹ���® with Renewable Attribution is designed to help significantly reduce the carbon footprint while providing a drop-in solution that can be seamlessly and responsibly integrated into existing processes. The environmental impact of the RA extension of �ղⱹ���® Healthcare Packaging Products is improved with the use of certified renewable content using a mass balance approach* replacing the use of fossil fuel-based raw materials. �ղⱹ���® with Renewable Attribution can be attributed with up to 100% of renewable content. 

The addition of �ղⱹ���® with Renewable Attribution  further complements the �ղⱹ���® Healthcare Packaging team’s work to help advance k8����’s global strategy of enabling a circular economy and working with global supply chains to reduce Scope 3 emissions (2024 Sustainability Report).  k8���� is committing to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The net-zero commitment builds on the significant progress k8���� has achieved since 2019 when the company established its Acting on Climate Goal as part of its overall sustainability strategy. So far k8���� has exceeded its climate targets – achieving a 58% reduction in Scopes 1 and 2 emissions from a 2019 baseline and achieving a 39% reduction in Scope 3 emissions from purchased goods and services and end-of-life of sold products from a 2020 baseline.

k8���� announced that the �ղⱹ���® Luxembourg facility and Richmond, Virginia, facilities achieved ISCC PLUS certification. In addition, the Luxembourg and Richmond, Virginia facilities where �ղⱹ���® is manufactured source 100% of their electricity from renewable energy certificates (RECs) and Guarantees of Origin (GOs) to match the energy consumed in their operations annually (see k8���� Sustainability Report).

Learn more about our sustainability efforts at �ղⱹ���® Healthcare Packaging.

*bio circular feedtsock content, certified by ISCC, a globally recognized system for developing sustainable supply chains a through a mass balance approach

FAQ: Learn more about �ղⱹ���® with Renewable Attribution

What is �ղⱹ���® with Renewable Attribution?

The RA extension of �ղⱹ���® Healthcare Packaging Products is a new sustainable �ղⱹ���® product offering that leverages a mass balance approach. The name extension RA stands for Renewable Attribution.
 

What is renewable attribution?

The incorporation of renewable content into products helps reduce their environmental impact on our planet.  In the RA extension of �ղⱹ���® Healthcare Packaging Products conventional, fossil fuel-based, raw materials are replaced with certified bio circular feedtsock. These alternative renewable feedstocks can be attributed (determined by mass) to products via the ISCC PLUS mass balance approach applying the certified free attribution.
 

What is mass balance?

Mass balance approach is a globally recognized model used to determine raw material inputs and outputs. It is designed to work with existing production systems where both renewable and traditional fossil fuel-based raw materials are mixed. The amount of sustainable raw material is responsibly tracked and attributed to specific products enabling full traceability of materials.
 

What is ISCC?

The International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) is a leading independent multi-stakeholder certification system endeavoring to support sustainable, fully traceable, deforestation-free and climate-friendly supply chains. ISCC offers several chain-of-custody certifications, including mass balance, to address diverse market requirements. Chain-of-custody certification means that every entity in a company’s supply chain operations is ISCC certified to ensure traceability and feedstock identity. Source: 

What is ISCC PLUS?

The ISCC PLUS is a globally recognized certification scheme for developing sustainable supply chains through the incorporation of renewable feedstock materials. The certification verifies and validates the adoption of clear, transparent, and traceable accounting practices for organizations for maintaining chain of custody, for example in the mass balance chain-of-custody certification.
 

Where can I buy the RA extension of �ղⱹ���® Healthcare Packaging Products

In line with UN SDG 17 (Partnerships for sustainable development), k8���� continues to work closely with our Sterile Packaging Manufacturing (SPM) customers to fulfill your �ղⱹ���®with Renewable Attribution. Per current practice for Tyvek(R) healthcare styles, Tyvek(R) RA will be sold through our global network Authorized Converters who have a reputation for delivering high quality products to meet your needs. of Please reference our ‘Where to buy’ guide for a list of Authorized converters from whom the RA extension of �ղⱹ���® Healthcare Packaging Products RA can be purchased.
 

Learn how �ղⱹ���® with Renewable Attribution delivers trusted benefits:

In support of sustainable healthcare packaging

• Increases the use of renewable content in packaging via mass balance approach
• Reduces dependency on fossil fuel-based resources
• Up to 100% sustainable share in �ղⱹ���® via mass balance approach

Improved carbon footprint

• Significant reduction of CO₂e emissions to progress Scope 3 emission reduction targets
• �ղⱹ���® is produced with 100% renewable electricity**

Drop-in solution

• Seamless and gradual incorporation of sustainable raw materials in products
• Properties, performance and quality documentation remain the same as in conventional �ղⱹ���® styles

ISCC PLUS certified 

• Credible and global mass balance certification scheme

** through the purchase of renewable energy credits (RECs) and Guarantees of Origin (GOs) to match the energy consumed in k8����’s operations annually

Moving to a circular economy

Our circular economy approach guides how we address waste, material use efficiency, and design challenges across our innovation platforms and global businesses. Our approach defines how to incorporate circular economy principles at four different points in product life cycles. Each stage in the product life cycle requires different types and levels of investment and presents both unique and complementary challenges.

In sourcing more sustainable raw materials, we develop partnerships with strategic customers and suppliers to scale opportunities for renewable raw materials; advance sourcing and use of low-carbon, renewable raw materials; and implement robust traceability and certification practices.

According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation ():

Transitioning from a linear model to a more sustainable circular economy necessitates adoption of new circular economy approach. Designing circular products with renewable raw materials is one of the most impactful ways to enable a more circular economy. This requires significant changes across industries, particularly in the utilization of raw materials. An effective way to initiate this transition is through the introduction of more sustainable raw materials into production via mass balance approach.
 

Mass balance approach as enabler

Mass balance approach is a globally recognized model used to determine raw material inputs and outputs. It is designed to work with existing production systems where both renewable and traditional fossil fuel-based raw materials are mixed. The amount of sustainable raw material is carefully tracked and attributed to specific products enabling full traceability of materials. Traceability ensures verifiable and credible claims regarding the sustainable content in products.

Mass balance is a specific chain-of-custody term that can be used to describe a system where fossil fuel based and non-fossil based, more sustainable feedstocks are mixed together making it impossible to physically track them. With mass balance approach, it is possible to document and trace these mixed quantities and attribute them to the end-products: for every ton of renewable feedstock, only up to one ton of product can be attributed and claimed as 100% renewable. Mass balance approach not only supports the reduction of fossil fuel resource dependence but also contributes to improved product carbon footprint and environmental profiles.

According to ISO 22095:2020 Chain of custody — General terminology and models, mass balance is defined as chain of custody model in which materials or products with a set of specified characteristics are mixed according to defined criteria with materials or products without that set of characteristics.

Achieving circularity calls for a gradual transition to the use of  alternative, more sustainable feedstocks. Large production output of the chemical industry makes it hard to replace existing material volume flows into alternative, more sustainable feedstocks. Availability of alternative feedstocks will only gradually increase as technologies and logistics develop, improving the costs of these alternatives to customers. Mass balance approach provides a bridge to start the journey towards a truly circular economy by using more sustainable raw materials that ultimately provide the same fundamental molecular source.

�ղⱹ���® with Renewable Attribution enables the transition towards a circular economy by introducing renewable raw materials to healthcare packaging without requiring long development efforts. It is a drop-in solution, that supports a seamless, gradual shift towards a more circular economy.
 

ISCC PLUS certification

�ղⱹ���® with Renewable Attribution is made with ISCC-certified bio-circular feedstocks attributed to �ղⱹ���® products via the ISCC PLUS mass balance approach.

ISCC PLUS by the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification is a globally recognized certification system for developing sustainable supply chains through the incorporation of renewable or circular materials. This certification verifies and validates the adoption of clear, transparent, and traceable accounting practices for organizations using the mass balance approach for maintaining chain of custody. It provides a set of rules to manage materials under the mass balance approach.

ISCC PLUS certification can be applied to renewable feedstock management. ISCC defines four sustainable feedtsock categories – Bio, Bio circular, Circular and Renewable. These certified raw materials derived from sustainable sources are accompanied by a sustainability declaration document that details critical information about the feedstock. This documentation remains with the product even through complex supply chains until it reaches the end-customer. When all actors in the supply chain of a product are ISCC PLUS certified, the documentation along with the sustainability attributes can be transferred seamlessly and reliably throughout the entire value chain, benefiting subsequent value chain members of the product.
 

ISCC PLUS certified materials provide significant sustainability benefits, ensuring transparency across the entire supply chain. Annual audits by independent certification bodies verify that these standards are consistently met, reinforcing trust and accountability in the certification process. This enables value chain partners to make well-informed, environmentally responsible purchasing decisions.

In support of sustainable healthcare packaging

Climate protection, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and conservation of fossil resources are key for achieving a more sustainable future. Biomass-derived bio circular feedstocks are considered an important part of the overall transition towards a circular economy offering two major benefits:

• enabling the reduction of dependency on fossil fuel resources, and
• providing quantifiable CO₂e reductions due to carbon sequestration during their life cycle.

The bio-circular feedstock use for Tyvek with Renewable Attribution originates from second-generation biomass that does not compete with food production. The raw materials used have been carefully sourced from sustainable, fully traceable, deforestation-free and climate-friendly suppliers.

The incorporation of renewable feedstocks in chemical processes traditionally reliant on fossil fuel feedstocks supports the shift towards a circular economy. When renewable feedstock is processed together with fossil fuel-based feedstock, it might not be physically traceable throughout the production processes. Therefore, the renewable feedstock is claimed in the end-product by attribution applying free attribution using mass determination. This attribution supports the use of existing production infrastructure and logistics to enable a pathway to gradually substitute fossil fuel resources by renewable feedstocks along the value chain.

�ղⱹ���® is a unique non-woven material made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) that can be considered as a mono-material structure according to ISCC PLUS system documents. This enables attribution of renewable content of up to 100% via mass balance approach. We anticipate the transition towards the use of renewable feedstocks will happen gradually, and �ղⱹ���® with Renewable Attribution signifies our continuous efforts to integrate available sustainable feedtsocks into our offerings in a manner that is seamless and readily deployable by our value chain partners.

Environmental impact and life cycle assessment

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a scientific method to quantify the environmental impact of products. LCA enables comparison between different feedstock alternatives for their environmental impacts. In our ISO please mentioned the standard number compliant peer reviewed LCA study, comparison between current and renewable-based �ղⱹ���® was performed in cradle-to-gate basis to demonstrate environmental benefits.

Results show significant improvements in carbon footprint for the RA extension of �ղⱹ���® Healthcare Packaging Products. Please connect with our k8���� experts to learn more about these improvements that could help reach your sustainability goals.