Sustainable medicine cup made from bacterial cellulose
100% plastic-free • Made from bacterial cellulose • compostable
Why healthcare needs sustainable medicine cups
Dutch healthcare uses tens of millions of plastic medicine cups every year, all for single use. Plastilose offers a compostable alternative that combines safety, ease of use and sustainability.
30+ million cups each year
Hospitals and care facilities discard more than 30 million medicine cups annually. Switching to biobased cellulose cups helps the sector avoid thousands of kilos of plastic and PFAS.
Sustainability commitments in healthcare
The Dutch Green Deal for Sustainable Healthcare and the EU Single-Use Plastics framework encourage replacing plastic disposables. Our cellulose cups are biobased, PFAS-free and designed workflows and documentation.
Compostable end of life
Conventional PP cups hardly degrade and contribute to microplastics. Plastilose cups are made from pure bacterial cellulose that breaks down within months in composting, leaving no toxic residues.
Sustainable Medicine Cup Made from Bacterial Cellulose
Plastilose develops the first biobased and compostable medicine cup for healthcare, made from bacterial cellulose sourced from Dutch side streams. A safe, PFAS-free alternative to single-use plastic cups.
Unique nanofiber structure
Bacterial cellulose forms a fine nanofiber network that provides exceptional strength and purity. Its high density and crystallinity (up to ~80%) result in a strong, transparent, and stable material.
High mechanical strength
The material reaches tensile strengths up to 200 MPa—comparable to certain plastics—while maintaining its shape in daily healthcare use. Ideal for safe, single-use medication administration.
Liquid-resistant & leakproof
The cellulose is refined for controlled moisture resistance, allowing the cup to handle short-term contact with liquids without leaking or dissolving. Perfect for oral medication or liquid doses.
PFAS-free & biocompatible
Our medicine cup contains no PFAS, plasticizers, or microplastics and meets biocompatibility standards. The material is safe for direct contact with medication.
Circular and compostable
Produced from byproducts of the Dutch sugar industry and fully biodegradable. After use, each cup can be composted or processed through existing organic waste streams.
Made in BlueCity Rotterdam
Local production minimizes transport emissions and drives circular innovation. Plastilose is building a sustainable, homegrown supply chain for medical packaging.
Sustainable Medicine Cup vs. Traditional Alternatives
Compare the Plastilose medicine cup to conventional disposable options and see why biobased cellulose makes healthcare more sustainable and future-proof.
| Property | Plastilose Medicine Cup | Plastic Cup (PP) | Coated Paper |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100% Plastic-free | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| PFAS-free | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ (due to coating) |
| Compostable | ✓ (2–6 months) | ✗ (persists for centuries) | ✗ (usually not, due to coating) |
| No Microplastics | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Liquid-resistant | ✓ | ✓ | ± (may leak) |
| Biobased Material | ✓ (100%) | ✗ | ± (partially) |
| Meets 2024 Healthcare Sustainability Goals | ✓ | ✗ | ± |
| CO₂ Footprint | ✓ (low) | ✗ (high) | ± (medium) |
From Side Stream to Sustainable Medicine Cup
Our innovative, circular production process in three precise steps.
Fermentation
In controlled bioreactors, selected microorganisms convert sugar-rich side streams into pure bacterial cellulose. This forms the foundation of our biobased, PFAS-free medicine cups.
Purification
The produced cellulose is thoroughly washed and purified to remove any bacteria or nutrients. What remains is a clean nanofiber network — completely natural and suitable for medical use.
Shaping
The cellulose is pressed and molded into stable medicine cups. Thanks to the strong nanofiber network, the cups retain their shape and strength even when in contact with liquids.
The Impact of Sustainable Medicine Cups
Contribute to cleaner healthcare with biobased, PFAS-free, and compostable medicine cups.
CO₂ footprint compared to plastic*
Microplastics during use or degradation
Months to fully compost**
* Actual CO₂ reduction depends on energy source, production scale, logistics, and end-of-life scenario.
** Composting time applies to controlled composting environments.
Home or natural composting may take longer.
Frequently Asked Questions about Sustainable Medicine Cups
Who are we?
Our mission
Plastilose was founded with a clear mission: create a product that helps the planet and delights users. We believe in honest solutions and aim for real impact. No greenwashing, just measurable results.
Jason
Founder - Biodesign expert
Joram
