Internship research sustainability

About The Company

As a total solution provider of medical devices and pharmaceutical packaging, Nipro Europe Group Companies is continuously committed to improving patient outcomes and quality of life. We are part of a large global network headed by Nipro Corporation Japan, an industry-leading healthcare company with over 38,000 employees worldwide. Our European headquarters in Mechelen, Belgium covers a wide geographical reach (Europe, Africa, India, the Americas) and is home to Nipro Medical EMEA, Nipro PharmaPackaging International, and the Institute for Medical Practice (iMEP) Belgium.

Nipro Medical is looking for an intern willing to join the Sustainability Team and run a research project on how to render Nipro’s medical devices more sustainable and environmentally-friendly.

Internship overview

Research-based project: Sustainability in European medical devices - Focus on waste streams

Objectives

• Deep-dive into medical waste streams across Europe relating to renal care devices and hospital products

• Assess regulatory requirements, environmental impact, and disposal practices

• Map customers’ expectations in reducing waste and increase reusability and recyclability of Nipro products

• Identify opportunities for Nipro to reduce waste through improved design, logistics or end-of-life strategies

Key tasks

• Map the European medical waste landscape (quantities, trends, compliance requirements)

• Research barriers to recycling of medical plastics (sterility, contamination, materials used)

• Benchmark best practices from hospitals, competitors, and other industries

• Evaluate the waste footprint of Nipro’s product lines and packaging

• Assess customers’ expectations regarding the waste footprint reduction of Nipro products

• Assess the feasibility of the following:

take back programmes

recycling partnerships

material substitution

reusable components (where compliant)

• Develop a European medical waste reduction roadmap for Nipro (final report and presentation with actionable recommendations)

Candidate profile

• Strength in analytical research

• Understanding of EU sustainability & waste regulations (or willingness to learn)

• Background in Sustainability-related studies

• Excellent command of English

• Curious and proactive attitude

Practical details

- The internship must last min. 3 months - more is welcome.The internship must be supervised by a university or college for insurance reasons

- Starting date: ASAP

- Company location: Blockkhuistraat 42, 38100 Mechelen, Belgium

- Job location: hybrid (remote + 2 days onsite)

- Travel costs reimbursed

What we offer

- Applied research in corporate setting

- Contact with relevant stakeholders in the medical device industry

- International environment and good team spirit