The Marien Gesellschaft Siegen has been implementing medical remanufacturing in its facilities for over ten years. Between 2021 and 2024 alone, the hospital group saved 1.8 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents and avoided approximately 275 kilograms of waste.
Düsseldorf, located not far from Siegen, also reports impressive figures. The Catholic hospital group VKKD has relied on this circular economy approach for 15 years. In 2023 alone, the group procured nearly 3,600 reprocessed medical devices, reducing emissions by 1.2 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents.
These measurable savings demonstrate the potential of medical remanufacturing: hospitals can reduce their ecological footprint while simultaneously lowering material costs. Yet, the application of circular solutions goes far beyond individual hospital groups – it offers a response to some of the most pressing challenges in healthcare.
Reflecting on these developments, Ulrike Marczak states: “Instead of fostering competition within the medical (technology) sector, it is more appropriate to recognise the true threats: climate change and its impact – including on human health – staffing shortages, and ever-increasing cost pressure.”
A Sustainable transformation requires a shift in collective thinking. For medical remanufacturing to fully realise its potential, hospitals, industry, and policymakers must work together – towards a financially viable and environmentally conscious healthcare system.
The full article by Ulrike Marczak is available (in German) in the current issue of KU Gesundheitsmanagement. Read the article here.
