Sustainability

The relevant role that Electrodes represent for the areas of health – medical and veterinary – is unquestionable.

Electrodes can be defined as devices capable of capturing physiological electrical signals, or also capable of transmitting electrical impulses, coming from external or implantable generators.

Its characteristics and quality affect directly the performance of the modern existing electromedical equipment.

Conventional Electrodes are basically made up of a foam body impregnated with adhesive, where a chemically treated metal pin and cotter pin are added and wrapped by an electrically conductive gel.

They are mostly imported products. Reliable numbers indicate that in Brazil about 20 million disposable electrodes are used per month.

Our innovative products – MELCTEC Reusable Electrodes – can be described and have the following particular characteristics listed below, which distinguishes them from the other existing products in the global market:

• Non-toxic, oval or circular membrane sensors, thin, flexible, with better anatomical fit and free of metals, which make them radiolucent, and compatible with magnetic resonance imaging and tomography equipment,
• Low electrical impedance of the set sensor plus conductive paste, with a stable ECG baseline and low levels of noise and artifacts,
• Presentation of universalized sizes, by the use of TNT discs – non-woven fabric which makes them applicable for neonates, children and adults,
• Possibility of reducing costs and number of electrodes used in ICU’s and specialized clinics, by changing only the adhesive discs, and maintenance of the sensors for longer period, without disrupting the routine hygiene protocols,
• Easy cleaning and desinfection actions, which contribute to reducing the risk of cross-contamination. They also allow sterilization – by Users, if necessary – through exposure to Cobalt 60 – Gamma Rays,
• Barrier-type BOPP packaging, metalized and recyclable,
• It allows sustainability actions and important reductions of solid waste and hospital and clinical wastes,
• Products in compliance with existing national and international technical standards,
• Products associated with a “bonus program” for unserviceable electrodes: collection and exchange for each User, with the use of collect boxes specially developed for these purposes.

The 20 million disposable electrodes used in Brazil monthly represent in a year a mass of approximately 400 tons of solid wastes – the equivalent to 40 loaded trucks – which after a single use are sent to landfills, specialized in the collection of hospital waste or even incinerated, procedures that generate pollutants released into the atmosphere, with unwanted formation of CO2 gas.

In the Sustainability Project – which we call “Green Heart Project” – this waste is collected in appropriate collect boxes, and is sent back to our Plant. There, they receive a reprocessing treatment, when possible. Finally, they can be redirected to a new package.

The Biaxially Polypropylene Packaging (BOPP) is also recyclable and has a market value when it amounts to 200 kilograms or more.

The Bonus in the exchange of unserviceable electrodes, payable in a New Product allows any additional costs, mainly road shipment, to be fully compensated.

Finally, our Products come at a moment of real importance with the enactment of the so-called Solid Waste Act, which establishes that Manufacturers and Society have a social responsibility for the generation of solid wastes.

In other words, the Manufacturers must preserve the environment against the environmental impacts caused by its Products.

The “Green Hearth Project” of Sustainability includes a Bonus Plan.

MELCTEC Reusable Electrodes do not form solid wastes, because when unserviceable, they are collected through Collect Boxes and then Reprocessed and Repackaged, when possible.

The volume collected is quantified, and a “Bonus” is paid to the Final User in New Product to amortize possible Operating and Freight Costs.