Medux and manufacturers join forces to enhance circularity

On June 20, 2024, Medux hosted an inspiring event focused on circularity within the medical equipment industry with important manufacturers on how we can make our industry more circular together. Here is a brief impression of the outcomes of the day.

Modular products – high reuse

The medical equipment industry utilizes modular products that can be repeatedly customized to meet the personal needs of end-users. In the Netherlands, this approach has resulted in 60-80% of equipment being redistributed. While this is a commendable figure, we can further enhance our impact by emphasizing circularity.

Step-by-step towards more circularity
After a bed or wheelchair can no longer be reused, it does not yet have to go to waste, but can return to the factory for refurbishment. We are already making great steps in this area with a number of manufacturers. In 2022, Etac introduced a circular wheelchair through their remanufacturing concept re:vive”. We are hoping to be able to use the re:vive concept for more products in the future. In 2024 we added a great partnership with Bock, with whom we expect to refurbish and repurpose 500 beds together this year.

An important outcome of the last meeting is the joint ambition to grow substantially in the use of recycled parts and products, thus growing step by step towards more circularity. This of course also contributes to the other collective goal: easily accessible and affordable medical equipment for everybody who needs it.

Control over CO2 emissions in the supply chain – standardized language and methodology

Together, we can accelerate progress in our production chains. We want to do this by jointly understanding what CO2 emissions are behind the products and where the emissions occur in the chain. This understanding will lead us to our next steps towards CO2 reduction.

By using the same standards, measurement methods and reference data, we create a transparent playing field for achieving reductions. This enables customers and clients to make choices not only on price, but also on sustainability.

Moving forward together
This first meeting was a good start and preparations are already made for the follow-up meeting. The aim is to expand the group to include dealers and more manufacturers.

“As Medux, we are already committed to the Paris climate agreement. In our own business operations, we fulfil this commitment by focusing on the electrification of the vehicle fleet, 100% use of green electricity, a location policy that significantly reduces gas consumption, energy efficiency and waste reduction projects. In addition, we actively seek cooperation in the chain. It is great to see that together we can come up with new insights and real actions to make our operations more sustainable and circular.

We are proud of our partners, who have opened the discussion on circularity and are taking up this challenge together. By working together, we can make the world more sustainable.”

Iris van Krugten