Case Study: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office reduces plastic waste with PA Consulting's fiber-based diagnostic test cassettes

FCDO develops fiber-based test cassettes with PA Consulting, cutting plastic waste by 80-90%

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), in partnership with a grant program, sought to address the significant global plastic waste problem caused by single-use plastic lateral flow test cassettes. These essential medical devices were generating immense pollution, particularly in lower and middle-income countries, as they were not recyclable. PA Consulting was engaged to develop a sustainable alternative to this plastic waste.

PA Consulting developed a proof-of-concept for a dry molded fiber-based test cassette using PulPac's innovative technology. This solution successfully replicated the function of the plastic original while utilizing renewable materials. The long-term impact includes a drastic reduction in plastic pollution and an 80-90% lower CO₂ footprint. PA Consulting's work also mapped out a plan to use local agricultural waste fibers, which will create local jobs and manufacturing hubs while providing essential medical devices to underserved regions.

Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (fcdo)