Profitability of chemically cross-linked collagen scaffold production using bovine pericardium: revaluing waste from the meat industry for biomedical applications

Abstract

Abstract The meat industry generates a significant amount of waste which can be used to manufacture biomedical implants. In addition, the current interest in increasing life expectancy has stimulated the development of new tissue substitutes including chemically cross-linked collagen scaffolds. However, they are usually expensive and inaccessible to low-income families. In the present report, we present an economic analysis of a continuous process for chemically cross-linked collagen scaffold production in a Mexican context. For this purpose, three production capacities were proposed: 5, 15, and 25 X 103 bovine pericardium units (BPU) per month as process feedstock. Data indicated that these capacities produced 2.5, 7.5, and 12.5 kg of biomesh per batch (per day), respectively. In addition, Net Unit Production Costs (NUPC) of 784.57, 458.94, and 388.26 $USD.kg-1 were obtained, correspondingly, with selling prices of 0.16 ± 0.078 USD.cm-2, 0.086 ± 0.043 USD.cm-2, and 0.069 ± 0.035 USD.cm-2, in the same order. We found that these selling prices are significantly lower than those in the current market in Mexico. Finally, distribution of costs associated with the process followed the order: raw materials> facility-dependent > labor > Royalties > Quality analysis/Quality control (QA/QC) > Utilities. The present study showed the feasibility of producing low-cost and highly profitable biomeshes with a relatively small investment. As a result, circular bioeconomy may be stimulated.