The 3rd Austrian Life Science Day was all about sustainability in the healthcare and medical technology sectors.
The Medical Technology Cluster of the Upper Austrian business location agency Business Upper Austria hosted the event. With 150 participants, the event was fully booked.
The healthcare sector accounts for around 4.4% of CO₂ emissions worldwide—in Austria, even around 7%. The Medical Technology Cluster's 3rd Austrian Life Science Day, which attracted a high-profile and fully booked audience and was held on October 8 at the Linz Castle Museum, addressed how the healthcare and medical technology sectors can become more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
Sustainability is no longer a nice-to-have, but an indispensable must-have. Not only the speakers, but also the 150 industry representatives agreed on this. Anne Hübner of the German Alliance for Climate Change and Health (KLUG eV) warned: "Our medicine is currently operating outside planetary boundaries. We are consuming more resources than we can regenerate – and are externalizing the consequences onto other countries and future generations."
Sustainability is just as important as hygiene
She presented impressive figures: 4.4 percent of global CO₂ emissions come from the healthcare sector. In Austria, the figure is seven percent, and in Germany, 5.2 percent of total emissions. Hospitals are the main culprits. Hübner presented possible solutions – from recycled paper and Tencel instead of cotton in textiles to reusable wound irrigation systems. Her appeal: Sustainability must be given the same priority as hygiene and data protection, because: "Healthy people only exist on a healthy planet."
Digitalization as the key to climate neutrality
Sigrid Linher from the industry association MedTech Europe cited a recent study that found that 15 to 25 percent of the healthcare sector's CO₂ emissions can be attributed to the MedTech industry. Her solution: more renewable energy, more renewable heat, and more circular economy. She sees digitalization as a key enabler. The EU is relying on new regulations such as the Ecodesign, Packaging, and Battery Regulations. Establishing a functioning circular economy requires, first and foremost, the cooperation of all stakeholders: "No one can implement this agenda alone. Legislators, hospitals, manufacturers, waste disposal companies – everyone must act together. After all, without health, there is no prosperity."
Recycling reduces greenhouse gases
Greiner Bio-One is already working specifically on recycling and the circular economy, as Nermina Cuzovic reported. The model is the United Kingdom's "Design for Life" future concept, which aims to eliminate single-use plastics in hospitals by 2045. "We are developing recycling-friendly designs and acquiring partners to jointly establish recycling, collection, decontamination processes, and digital traceability." The goal is a circular economy system for single-use medical products that combines environmental protection, patient safety, and the highest standards. The motivation behind this: 4.5 billion blood collection tubes worldwide generate up to 53,000 tons of waste annually. This not only leads to material loss but also to CO₂ emissions, as the tubes are usually incinerated in the EU.
Balanced greenhouse gas balance
The pharmaceutical company Takeda also aims to achieve net zero emissions across its entire value chain by 2040. Net zero means offsetting the amount of greenhouse gases we emit by removing the same amount from the atmosphere. "We are developing innovative production processes to conserve resources without compromising product quality or patient safety," explained Alessandro Cataldo. Takeda relies on innovative technologies such as the "cold production of Water for Injection," which works without gas or oil and is also more efficient.
Sustainable development design
In addition, the "AHEAD" project, which recently went into operation in Vienna, has the potential to generate steam with virtually zero CO₂ emissions for seven months a year because it uses heat pumps. "We also work according to the principle of 'sustainability by design,' which means we incorporate sustainability very early in the development process. And we combine economic efficiency with ecological responsibility," Cataldo emphasized.
Sustainability must pay off
Karl Resel of EY denkstatt also emphasized the economic viability: "We need sustainability that makes economic sense." Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions, i.e., emissions directly within a company's sphere of influence, are easier to manage than Scope 3 emissions, indirect emissions from the supply chain. His appeal to companies: Act now. "Address climate transformation plans concretely, evaluate them economically, don't shy away from investments – and address the big questions of the future. Because while regulatory processes can be paused, climate change continues unabated."
Sustainable competitive advantage
Christian Trübenbach of Great Place to Work® emphasized that a sustainable culture is a formula for success for companies. He supports companies in developing their corporate culture – including in the context of social sustainability. "Companies that invest in social sustainability, fair pay, trust, diversity, and well-being not only increase their attractiveness as employers, but also their economic performance," Trübenbach said.
Social sustainability
Social sustainability was also a topic of the panel discussion. Stephan Famler from the Upper Austrian Health Holding pointed out that sustainability is more than just climate protection: "Sustainability is often associated with environmental protection, CO₂ reduction, energy conservation, and environmental management. A holistic approach encompasses even more. In healthcare, where people are the focus, social aspects are becoming increasingly important. Against the backdrop of an aging and changing society, social sustainability and sustainable corporate management will become increasingly important."
Close cooperation required
Philipp Lindinger, Managing Director of AUSTROMED, the medical device industry association, referred to the AUSTROMED Code: "It contains a clear commitment to human rights. The Code already covers some sustainability requirements for member companies – what is now crucial is the solidarity of all stakeholders."
Dialogue and joint action are needed
"For me, sustainability means the future – and it begins now," said Sigrid Linher at the beginning of the Austrian Life Science Day. Entrepreneur and podcaster Ursula Helml reiterated this statement at the end of the day: "The future is no coincidence. It doesn't happen – we shape it." Frauke Wurmböck, Manager of the Medical Technology Cluster at the Upper Austrian location agency Business Upper Austria, summed it up: "The medical technology and life sciences industries face a major challenge: reconciling sustainability and innovation. The Austrian Life Science Day has shown that there are solutions that will enable us to achieve this. All stakeholders along the entire value chain simply need to engage in dialogue and start taking action today."