Buyers in clinics, laboratories and doctor’s offices also expect what is becoming established in the consumer sector: medical devices with high diagnostic and therapeutic effectiveness and at the same time less impact on the climate. Eco-design in medical technology is still restricted by the Medical Devices Regulation, and high hygiene standards limit the recycling of disposable materials.

However, there are approaches for greater sustainability. Medical technology manufacturers can reduce energy consumption when operating devices or improve their repairability. Raw materials used can be used circularly instead of being burned. Hospitals are among the largest producers of waste in Germany. They produce up to eight tons of waste per day through sterile disposable products alone – before the pandemic. .

There is still a lot of catching up to do in medical technology in order to make healthcare more sustainable and manufacturing processes more climate-friendly. Ultimately, the social dimension of sustainability is particularly important in medical technology. The social impact on patients through an improved quality of life with the help of affordable high technology is the most important lever in the industry.

The industry includes, for example, manufacturers of medical devices, apparatus and materials, including electrical and dental devices.