Disposable plastic products have their days numbered: alternatives are required today. The success of LastObject’s reusable swabs shows that the market is ready for change. Both in their classic version and in the Beauty model, these swabs are made of high quality materials. To meet all requirements, the products feature the tip made of Thermolast M, a Kraiburg TPE compound that is frequently used in the healthcare sector.
Every day 1.5 billion rods are manufactured in the world, and each one is used only once. This is precisely what starts LastObject’s mission: this Danish company promotes a ‘zero waste’ movement so that future generations can grow up on a clean and healthy planet. In a first step, his pioneering project provides reusable and hygienic solutions that are alternatives to disposable items. Over 500,000 LastSwabs have already been sold worldwide. LastObject thus reacts effectively to Directive (EU) 2019/904, which will acquire the status of law in mid-2021 and which prohibits single-use plastic products as long as alternatives are available.
Durability and quick and easy cleaning are basic requirements for reusable swabs. During the development process of LastSwab a lot of value was placed on these attributes. Based on data provided by the manufacturer, the design allows each unit to be used up to 1000 times. Another requirement was to achieve a product that ensures adequate tolerance and does not cause irritation in the event of repeated contact with the skin. Needless to say, this condition is also met.
Kraiburg TPE TPE has a close cooperation in Denmark with Teknisk Agentur, a local distributor and trusted partner. When selecting for the soft and flexible tip, a compound belonging to the Thermolast M product group was chosen. The material, superior to all its competitors with regard to adhesion, visual appearance and possibilities of processed, it has the following properties:
Hardness: approx. 40 Shore A
Tensile strength: 8.0 MPA
Elongation at break: 800%
Tear strength: 11.5 N / mm
The compound adheres to polypropylene and polyethylene, has high resistance to abrasion, is weldable and does not contain substances of animal origin. It is processed in injection and extrusion. Polypropylene is used for the stable part of the swab. The box is made of ocean plastic (OWP) from the Danish company Zeaplast, which collects material from seas and rivers in Southeast Asia and recycles it. The product is injected by AMP, a well-known Danish firm that operates in this sector.
What LastObject addresses is more than just a trend: the product contributes in an effective and measurable way to saving raw materials, reducing the amount of waste and reducing the CO2 footprint at the same time. “Not only did the Kraiburg TPE material help us to carry out the project, but the whole process was very attractive to us: from product identification to service. Kraiburg TPE TPE, its Danish distributor Teknisk Agentur and injection specialist AMP they are trusted partners, helping us shape a more sustainable future, “says Nicolas Aagaard, co-founder of LastObject.
