CONGRATULATIONS PROFESSOR IR. DR. SRIMALA SREEKANTAN SPONSOR NHS BLOOD AND TRANSPLANT

The widespread use of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) blood bags plasticised with DEHP presents increasing regulatory, environmental, and clinical challenges due to leachable toxic plasticisers and poor end-of-life options. This project proposes a novel alternative blood pack material based on a SEBS–PP blend incorporating cerium oxide (CeO₂) nanoparticles to address both safety and sustainability issues. The SEBS-PP matrix offers flexibility, mechanical integrity, and biocompatibility, while CeO₂ provides intrinsic antibacterial activity and oxidative stability, minimising microbial contamination and red blood cell (RBC) degradation during storage.

The project is a collaborative effort between NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) and Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), leveraging NHSBT’s expertise in blood component manufacturing and validation, and USM’s experience in polymeric material development. The study will fabricate and characterise SEBS–PP–CeO₂ films via extrusion and calendaring, followed by welding into prototype blood packs with integrated tubing. These will be evaluated across four key dimensions: performance (e.g. leakage, ageing, permeability), physico-chemical stability (FTIR, TGA, DSC), biological safety (cytotoxicity, haemolysis, sterility), and regulatory compliance (ISO 10993 series, ASTM, EN standards).

This research supports NHSBT’s goals of net-zero carbon emissions and supply chain resilience by eliminating PVC and creating a new industry-led standard for blood packs. Outcomes from this project will establish a validated, safer, and more sustainable prototype ready for larger-scale clinical evaluation and EU Horizon funding. By facilitating manufacturer adoption and reducing reliance on DEHP-PVC, this innovation holds potential for global impact in transfusion medicine and healthcare sustainability.