Swiss Medtech as pioneers
The time of voluntary climate protection measures is over. Sustainability is becoming an economic necessity. From the extraction of raw materials to production and waste disposal – climate protection affects the entire medtech industry value chain. Legislators, investors and customers are demanding verifiable data regarding pro-environmental activities. «If you can’t deliver these, you lose market share. This has long been a reality,» says Raphael Laubscher, CEO of Laubscher Präzision AG, a long-established family company specialising in high-precision turned parts and system components.
Dr Laubscher speaks from experience: he integrated sustainability into his corporate strategy early on. By determining the greenhouse gas footprint for his company, he laid the foundation for future targeted measures: «Calculating the balance is an important step – but it won’t change anything on its own,» he says. «It’s what you do next that counts.» His company quickly analysed its potential for energy efficiency, defined clear reduction targets, and implemented concrete measures. He also contributes valuable experience as part of his mandate with the Association.
Share knowledge – strengthen the sector
As a Swiss Medtech board member, Raphael Laubscher is especially committed to matters concerning the supply sector. For him, one thing is certain: «Collaborative learning within the industry is essential.» Small and medium-sized companies in particular often ask themselves the same question when faced with major challenges: Where to begin?
Swiss Medtech is now delivering a concrete answer – with the first decarbonisation roadmap specifically designed for the medtech sector. The practical tool assists companies on how to approach environmental protection in a targeted and effective manner. The latest industry study confirms that the association is addressing a real need.
«We support our members where it counts – on the big issues that affect competitiveness,» explains Adrian Hunn, Director of Swiss Medtech. The roadmap is not just lip service, but a concrete, practical tool: «Those who follow it will secure a clear market advantage.»
Greatest potential: circular economy
Analyses of seven pilot companies – including Laubscher Präzision AG – paint a clear picture: Only around 5% of greenhouse gas emissions originate from a company’s’ own sources (Scope 1, e.g. heating oil) or from purchased energy (Scope 2, e.g. electricity). The lion’s share – 95% – originates upstream and downstream within the value chain (Scope 3). A particularly significant percentage originates from the sourcing of materials such as metals, plastics and ceramics, as well as the energy-intensive operation of medical equipment in hospitals and other healthcare facilities.
The decarbonisation roadmap offers practical strategies to reduce emissions – from efficient technology in buildings, to the use of renewable energies and low-CO₂ mobility. However, the greatest potential lies in product design and improvements along the supply chain: intelligent eco-design, recyclable materials, and circular business models can reduce emissions quantifiably and sustainably – delivering both economical viability and ecological efficiency
Climate protection as a market advantage
Those who think it is not worth their company’s effort (as 95% of emissions are generated upstream and downstream the value chain) are wrong. Firstly, reductions of emissions in Scope 1 and 2 are required by law. And secondly, if every company along the chain reduces its direct and indirect emissions, the customers’ Scope 3 footprint will also decrease noticeably.
«Those who act today mobilise the entire value chain,» says Swiss Medtech Director Adrian Hunn. «Strategically anchoring sustainability in the company is not a «nice-to-have«, but an important prerequisite for tomorrow’s successful access to markets.»
More about the roadmap
Swiss Medtech’s decarbonisation roadmap is aimed specifically at manufacturing-oriented SMEs in the medtech sector. The practical tool, which incorporated a wide range of measures, helps companies boost their competitiveness and systematically prepare for the increasing demanding regulatory requirements and market trends. Industry roadmapThe roadmap was developed in close collaboration with member companies and the act Cleantech Agentur Schweiz. The Swiss Federal Office of Energy has confirmed that the sector roadmap fulfils SwissEnergy’s funding programme criteria.
Swiss Medtech represents around 800 members in its role as industry association for Swiss medical technology. With 71,700 employees and a contribution of 11.9% to the positive trade balance, medical technology is an economically significant sector in Switzerland. Swiss Medtech advocates for conditions that enable the medtech industry to perform at peak capacity and provide first-class medical care.