Olympus teams up with DuPont for eco-friendly packaging in medical devices

USA – Tokyo-based medtech firm Olympus has entered a partnership with DuPont de Nemours to introduce sustainable packaging for its single-use endotherapeutic devices. 

The collaboration targets sterile packaging needs across more than 100 device categories, starting in 2026.

According to details from the agreement, Olympus will integrate DuPont’s Tyvek with Renewable Attribution (RA) material into its packaging lines. 

This product, which debuted in November 2024, uses a certified mass balance method to blend renewable feedstocks into production. 

The approach cuts dependence on fossil-based resources and lowers emissions in healthcare packaging.

Syed Naveed, Olympus’s executive officer and chief technology officer, said the move supports environmental goals while maintaining device safety. 

He noted that the initial rollout will occur at manufacturing sites in Japan and Vietnam, covering sampling and therapeutic tools for gastrointestinal and respiratory endoscopes.

The switch to Tyvek with RA is set to decrease carbon emissions by one-third compared to standard Tyvek options. 

Olympus intends to roll out the material to other facilities and product ranges in later stages, expanding its reach across global operations.

David Domnisch, DuPont’s vice president and general manager for healthcare packaging, described the material as a straightforward replacement for existing systems. 

He added that the company looks forward to supporting Olympus in making healthcare operations greener.

Meanwhile, a recent project by the Healthcare Plastics Recycling Council in the US has diverted over 1.2 million pounds of medical plastics from landfills since early 2025, through expanded collection programs at hospitals. 

Such developments highlight practical steps toward circular practices in medtech supply chains.

The Olympus-DuPont tie-up addresses key challenges in sterile barriers, where materials must withstand sterilization processes without losing protective qualities. 

Tyvek with RA maintains breathability and microbial resistance, essential for single-use devices that prevent cross-contamination in procedures.

Olympus, which serves over 100 countries with endoscopy solutions, reported US$3.5 billion in revenue last fiscal year, underscoring its scale in adopting these changes.

Naveed emphasized in a statement that patient trust remains paramount, with rigorous testing ensuring no performance dips. 

Domnisch echoed this, highlighting how the material’s drop-in compatibility speeds adoption without major retooling costs.

As healthcare faces pressure to cut its 5% share of global emissions, partnerships like this provide concrete paths forward. 

Olympus aims to complete the first phase by mid-2026, potentially influencing similar moves among peers in the US$50 billion medtech market.

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