Buyer group textiles in healthcare

Face masks, aprons, sheets – the healthcare industry uses a lot of textiles. Textile production is energy intensive and uses a lot of raw materials. Although the industry is working hard to find sustainable applications, the focus in procurement is still on competitive prices. To increase and further develop supply in sustainable textiles, demand must change. That is precisely the challenge that this buyer group is working on. 

In the textiles buyer group in healthcare, purchasers and suppliers are working together to make the surgical gown and surgical cover product groups more sustainable. In a series of meetings, they sought answers to the question of what would be needed to procure more sustainable surgical gowns and covers. The aim? To create a guide that can help purchasers at hospitals make more sustainable choices. 

Market vision: circular surgical gowns and surgical covers 

The call for greater sustainability in the healthcare industry is loud. But how do you know which product is more sustainable? That is the question that the buyer group asked independent research and consultancy CE Delft.

At the same time, the buyer group – comprising hospitals, a procurement cooperative, suppliers of reusable textiles and suppliers of disposable textiles – jointly formulated requirements and award criteria that purchasers can use in their tenders and procurement processes.  

The results of the survey and an overview of the requirements and award criteria are set out in the market vision and are now available for use. The buyer group is now exploring potential follow-up steps. 

Interested in taking part in this group? Please get in touch at hallo@ikwilcirculairinkopen.nl.