Fraunhofer Research Institution for Materials Recycling and Resource Strategies IWKS
Fraunhofer Research Institution for Materials Recycling and Resource Strategies IWKS

Circular Economy in Medical Technology

Protect resources, strengthen healthcare

© Fraunhofer IWKS

Medical Technology

Rethinking Healthcare: Medical Technology in the Age of the Circular Economy

The healthcare sector faces a twofold challenge: while the treatment and care of patients are top priorities, the sector accounts for approximately 6% of Germany’s national greenhouse gas emissions. A large part of this burden stems from the linear use of single-use products and conflicts with national and European climate and resource conservation strategies, which call for emissions reductions and the transition to a functioning circular economy. We want to change that: from a waste problem to a valuable resource.

The Vision: Closed-loop material cycles in everyday hospital practice

Single-use products facilitate hygiene and organization, but they generate large quantities of mostly non-infectious waste, most of which is currently incinerated. This results in the loss of valuable raw materials and generates additional emissions. Rethinking medical technology means no longer viewing single-use products primarily as waste, but rather as a resource within the context of closed-loop material cycles.

 

The benefits at a glance:

  • Climate protection & resource security: Recovery of high-quality metals and plastics without loss of quality.
  • Cost-effectiveness: Reducing costs and decreasing dependence on global raw material markets through efficient logistics and new recycling pathways.
  • Regulation & Reputation: Compliance with national and European climate strategies, as well as strengthening your role as a responsible institution.
  • Innovation: Development of new business models through digital material flow solutions and modern recycling technologies.
  • Social Responsibility: Promotion of local production in Europe and improvement of working conditions.

Our Expertise: From the Lab to Clinic Applications

We develop practical solutions to transform linear material flows into functioning circular systems—and test them under real-world conditions in the healthcare sector. We support you every step of the way, from the initial analysis through to scaling:

Project architecture for a research project with defined phases—from analysis to the implementation of a comprehensive, sustainable overall concept

 

  • Feasibility Studies & Pilot Projects: Testing under real-world conditions in the healthcare sector.
  • Material Flow and Potential Analyses: Identifying potential in your waste streams.
  • Collection and Logistics Concepts: Development and testing of secure collection systems.
  • Assessment: Comprehensive ecological (Life Cycle Assessment) and economic (Life Cycle Costing) analyses.
  • Technology Transfer: Scaling up and transferring from the laboratory to pilot scale.
  • Hygiene: Projects are conducted in accordance with current legal requirements and the highest hygiene standards.

Become Our Project Partner

To turn the vision of a functioning circular economy in healthcare into reality, we rely on strong partnerships. We are looking for dedicated practitioners who would like to work with us to implement groundbreaking pilot projects to demonstrate the potential of material recovery under real-world conditions.

  • Metals: Recovery of high-value materials from single-use metal instruments.
  • Plastics: Testing new processes such as plasma pyrolysis to break down even contaminated plastic waste into reusable basic components.

Let’s work together to transform linear processes into sustainable cycles. We look forward to hearing from you to discuss potential collaborations and joint project proposals.

 

© IRED, W. Lorke

SingleUseRecovery

Development of a take-back strategy for single-material products made of, for example, stainless steel or plastic

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© IRED, W. Lorke

KlinikWertstoff

Recycling garbage can for clinical waste with resource potential

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Shaping the Transformation Together

By recovering materials from clinical waste, we alleviate pressure on supply chains, reduce the demand for primary raw materials, and significantly cut emissions. The circular economy is therefore a key strategic factor for a sustainable healthcare system. Our services are aimed at stakeholders across the entire value chain:

  • Hospitals and care facilities
  • Manufacturers of medical devices & single-use instruments
  • Waste management and recycling companies
  • Funding organizations as well as health and environmental policymakers