We use approximately 15 million disposable gloves annually. We are looking for sustainable alternatives for the disposable glove made from nitrile. These gloves are used for safety and hygiene reasons. At the moment there are no sustainable alternatives available and there are no options for high-quality processing of the gloves. This is not only a challenge in the cleaning industry. In healthcare, they are also looking for sustainable alternatives. 

To comply with the standards mentioned below, gloves are recommended by safety experts and hygienists: • Protects against chemicals according to EN ISO 374-1/Type B and EN ISO 374-2 

• Protects against micro-organisms (bacteria and fungi) in accordance with EN ISO 374-5 

• The CE mark. 

Where do you fit in?/What can you contribute? We are open to a broad range of solutions contributing to a more sustainable solution. For example, this could be in the production process or during the period of use. But we are also open to solutions in the field of waste management. When looking for alternatives, we use the 10 R’s circularity ladder (see below). The higher up the ladder, the better. At the top there are solutions to use the glove longer or reduce consumption. But we are also open to a glove made of environmentally friendly material and/or (partly) recycled material, or a glove that can be processed to a high standard after use. 

What's in it for you? 

• You can be part of the introduction of a sustainable solution for disposable gloves in cleaning 

• Once a proven solution has been found, there is a potential large sales market The market for disposable gloves in the cleaning industry is large. A lot of positive impact can be achieved in the field of sustainability. A suitable sustainable solution will most likely be embraced by the entire cleaning industry. We prefer to do a pilot to test the feasibility of the given alternative. When the alternative solution shows good results, there is the possibility to scale up within the industry. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: This technology request is part of an innovation challenge and is published on an open innovation platform and will close on the 17th of April. If an organization does express interest in collaboration with this company before closing date, it will be guided through this open innovation platform and will be introduced to its moderator and the company's experts. Mind that posts on this platform are not confidential. Next step is that the company will select the SMEs with whom they would like to cooperate in the development of the solution.

Creativity and innovation; product development 

Materials technology; knowledge of hygiene and safety 

Producers / suppliers

Cleaning company Waste recycling 

Where do you fit in?/What can you contribute? We are open to a broad range of solutions contributing to a more sustainable solution. For example, this could be in the production process or during the period of use. But we are also open to solutions in the field of waste management. When looking for alternatives, we use the 10 R’s circularity ladder (see below). The higher up the ladder, the better. At the top there are solutions to use the glove longer or reduce consumption. But we are also open to a glove made of environmentally friendly material and/or (partly) recycled material, or a glove that can be processed to a high standard after use.