Revolutionizing Medical Devices with SABER’s Compostable Bioplastics

The medical device industry faces a dual challenge: delivering high-performance, safe products while minimizing environmental impact. Traditional plastics used in catheters, surgical tools, and packaging often end up as non-degradable waste, contributing to microplastic pollution. SABER Chemical, Inc. is breaking new ground with our compostable core-shell particles (CCSPs), enabling biodegradable medical devices that perform as well as conventional plastics but decompose harmlessly. Our technology, born from cutting-edge research, is poised to transform healthcare sustainability.

The Need for Sustainable Medical Devices

Hospitals generate millions of tons of plastic waste annually, much of it from single-use devices. These plastics, often petroleum-based, can take centuries to break down, releasing microplastics that harm ecosystems and health. Bioplastics like polylactic acid (PLA) offer promise but require additives to achieve the toughness needed for medical applications. Unfortunately, these additives are typically non-biodegradable rubbers, leaving microscopic residues when the bioplastic degrades. SABER’s CCSPs solve this problem, delivering durability and full compostability.

How SABER’s CCSPs Work

Our CCSPs, made from glycerol—a renewable biodiesel byproduct—are tiny particles (210 nm) that blend with bioplastics like PLA, PHA, and PCL. Here’s how they make a difference:

• Compostable Design: Using solketal acrylate, our CCSPs attract water to kickstart breakdown in compost or soil. The rubber molecules are kept short (around 1200 Da), so bacteria can easily digest them into harmless byproducts, leaving no microplastics.
• High Performance: CCSPs boost bioplastics to over 200 J/m Izod impact strength, ten times tougher than plain PLA, making them ideal for durable medical devices like biodegradable catheters or surgical implants.
• Eco-Friendly Process: We create CCSPs in water, not harmful solvents, using a scalable, low-emission process, reducing environmental impact from production to disposal.

Pioneering Healthcare Innovation

SABER’s CCSPs are already proving their potential in applications like our PGA Tour golf tee pilot, where they deliver strength and compostability. In medical devices, they offer similar promise. Imagine catheters that safely degrade after use, reducing hospital waste, or packaging that composts without harming the environment. Our research shows CCSPs disperse evenly in PLA, ensuring consistent performance (paper: TEM micrographs, Page 15), and their glycerol-based structure supports a circular economy.

Why Partner with SABER?

For investors and partners, SABER offers a unique opportunity:

• Market Growth: The global bioplastics market, including medical applications, is projected to reach $12 billion by 2030, with 15% annual growth (previous conversation, April 07, 2025).
• Proven Technology: Our NSF-funded research and pilot projects demonstrate scalability and real-world viability.
• Sustainability Leadership: By eliminating microplastic pollution, SABER aligns with global ESG goals, attracting eco-conscious partners.

At SABER, we make bioplastics BETTER—tough, compostable, and ready for the future of healthcare. Join us to revolutionize medical devices and drive sustainability forward.