Brouwland supports research into Ehlers-Danlos syndrome

What is EDS? It is a hereditary connective tissue disorder with the following symptoms: joint hypermobility, limbs that dislocate, constant pain and fatigue. “Fortunately”, EDS is a rare syndrome. 1 to 4 in 20,000 people suffer from some type of EDS - hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) being the most common.

Crown caps for research

Rarity, however, also means that little research is being conducted into the treatment. For this reason, Brouwland is entering into a collaboration with crown cap supplier Astir Vitogiannis and Zebrapad vzw. Zebrapad collects used crown caps at various collection points throughout Belgium. Recycling these caps generates money. Zebrapad donates the full amount to Ghent University Hospital for their research into Ehlers-Danlos.

60 million extra crown caps

From now on, Brouwland will collect crown caps with manufacturing defects from its suppliers. In addition, a collection point has recently been set up at the Brouwland shop in Beverlo where customers can return their used crown caps. We deliver this collection to Zebrapad vzw every month.

Brouwland plans to collect 60 million crown caps per year (if you put them all next to each other, they would cover an area of 5 football pitches!). In this way, we hope to make a substantial contribution to much-needed research into the rare disease.

Do you want to support Zebrapad vzw yourself?

About Zebrapad vzw

Zebrapad vzw is an association for patients with EDS and HSD that organises various campaigns and activities with the aim of providing better support to patients with this condition, offering them a crossing point.

The association is also committed to increasing awareness and recognition of Ehlers-Danlos syndromes and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders and to this end organises, among other things, the collection of crown caps throughout Belgium.

About Astir Vitogiannis

Astir Vitogiannis Bros S.A. is a company from Greece that manufactures crown caps on a very large scale for the food industry. Tens of billions of crown caps are produced annually and sold in more than 45 countries.