Designing Drug Delivery for Disassembly
Innovation PitchDrug Delivery SystemsProcess & Equipment
2026-05-28 | 11:40 AM - 11:55 AM | The Innovation Corner
Abstract
The machine builder’s role and support in making circular drug delivery scalable
The pharmaceutical industry faces increasing pressure to reduce the environmental footprint of drug delivery devices, yet circularity in this sector remains particularly complex. Post-use contamination, strict MDR and FDA regulatory requirements, and the economic realities of high-volume, cost-sensitive products significantly limit conventional recycling approaches.
Achieving circular drug delivery and measurable improvements in sustainability therefore requires the integration of Design for Disassembly (DfD) principles directly into product architecture, including modular product structures, reduced material diversity, monomaterial concepts, reversible joining technologies, and clearly defined separation paths that enable predictable and safe component recovery. However, circular design principles must be aligned with industrial feasibility and scalable automation concepts from the earliest development stages.
Companies specialized in assembly systems and automation technology can play a decisive role in enabling scalable circular systems and advancing sustainability in medical technology. While automation experts are commonly involved in DfM and DfA (Design for Manufacturing and Assembly) studies, extending this collaboration to include future disassembly requirements is a logical next step.
Strama-MPS, as a specialist in highly automated production systems for MedTech, supports manufacturers by co-developing demontage-ready product concepts, engineering automated high-throughput separation systems, and ensuring compatibility with regulatory, economic, and cycle-time constraints. In addition, rapid development of dedicated fixtures and prototype tooling allows early validation of disassembly processes under practical conditions, supporting the transition from theoretical circular concepts to economically viable implementation in high-volume medical markets.
