ReMed – Remanufacturing Medtech

Many medical devices, such as powered wheelchairs, have their greatest climate impact before they even enter service. Manufacturing accounts for up to 80 percent of total lifecycle climate impact, primarily due to materials such as steel and aluminium. At the same time, products are often used for a limited period before being phased out, despite frames and components that may have significant service life remaining. Here lies a substantial and largely untapped potential: through remanufacturing, products and components can be given a new life and their carbon footprint reduced significantly.

Realising that potential comes with a number of challenges. The medical device industry operates under its own strict regulatory framework, most notably the EU Medical Devices Regulation (MDR) and must meet high demands regarding patient safety, hygiene, traceability, and individual customisation. Clear standards for how remanufacturing of medical devices should be carried out are currently lacking, and challenges around logistics, pricing, and market acceptance mean that few actors have yet taken the step. It is precisely at the intersection of these barriers and an increasingly clear demand — from legislators, procuring regions, and end users — that ReMed takes its point of departure.

The project investigates how remanufacturing of medical devices and assistive technology can become a viable, commercially sound practice. By analysing business models, regulatory frameworks, logistics solutions, and product design, a concrete knowledge base is developed for how remanufacturing can be introduced in a safe, cost-effective, and sustainable manner. The project is conducted in close collaboration between industry, academia, and customers.

The goal is a roadmap for how the industry can extend product lifespans, reduce resource use and climate impact, while creating new business opportunities and strengthened customer relationships. In the longer term, ReMed contributes to a more circular and competitive medical device industry, and to Sweden’s target of a manufacturing sector with net-zero emissions by 2040.