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MEDI4Future

Program: Interreg NWEDuration: 2026–2029Funding: €2,430,254.74Lead Partner: BOM

Project Details

The MedTech sector develops products that advance healthcare. At the same time, the sector generates a significant amount of waste, for example from single-use medical devices, gloves, and surgical gowns. MEDI4Future brings together companies, research institutions, and regional innovation partners from Northwestern Europe to change this. The project helps MedTech companies make circular solutions practically viable without compromising safety, quality, or regulatory compliance.<h2>Why is MEDI4Future important?</h2>The European healthcare sector produces approximately 2.5 million metric tons of waste annually. Less than 10% of that is recycled. Achieving sustainability is particularly complex in MedTech. Products must meet strict requirements regarding sterility, safety, and certification. As a result, circular solutions from other sectors cannot simply be applied here.  MEDI4Future aims to lower that barrier. The project adapts existing circular solutions to the MedTech context. This includes smarter product and process design, alternative materials, and the reuse of raw materials. Eight pilot projects at MedTech companies will then demonstrate what works in practice. The goal is to reduce waste for the relevant application by up to 50% within these pilots.     For the Eastern Netherlands, this offers opportunities to connect two strong regional ecosystems: MedTech and the circular economy. Oost NL contributes knowledge and experience from both worlds and connects companies with research institutions and international partners.  <h2>Who is it for?</h2>MEDI4Future primarily targets small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the MedTech sector that want to make their products, production processes, or use of materials more circular. The focus includes manufacturers of medical devices and other single-use products, as well as products that incorporate valuable or critical raw materials.    Hospitals, medical centers, research institutions, regional governments, and organizations that support businesses also benefit from the project. By involving the entire supply chain, circular solutions can not only be developed but also implemented on a broader scale. <h2>What are the benefits?</h2>MEDI4Future is developing a practical toolbox that enables MedTech companies to implement circularity on their own. It includes concrete options for, for example, product and process redesign, material selection, new materials, and the reuse of raw materials. The toolbox is being tested and refined in eight pilot projects at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in various European regions.  In addition, a training program for companies will be launched, along with an approach that enables regional development and support organizations to guide companies. The project aims to achieve 150 participants in the training sessions and make the acquired knowledge widely available.   Oost NL is playing an active role in the pilot projects. We are helping to determine the selection criteria for participating companies and, together with the University of Liège, are assessing the environmental impact and feasibility of the solutions being tested. Oost NL is also working to ensure that the developed approach and toolbox continue to be used after the MEDI4Future project concludes.

<h2>Which partners are involved?</h2>MEDI4Future is a collaboration among eleven project partners from the Netherlands, Germany, France, Ireland, Italy, and Belgium. The Brabant Development Agency (BOM) is the lead partner. From the Netherlands, Oost NL and InnovationQuarter are also participating. The other project partners are Medicen Paris Region, Atlanpole Biotherapies, BioRegio STERN Management, BioLAGO, AxisBIC, Bioindustry Park Silvano Fumero, the University of Liège, and Atlantic Technological University. In addition, organizations such as Circonnect, TU Delft, Medical Delta, and Health Care Without Harm Europe are involved in the project as associated organizations. MEDI4Future is being implemented under Interreg North-West Europe and will run for 42 months. The total project budget is over €4 million, of which approximately €2.43 million comes from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). &nbsp;<h2>Interested in the project?</h2>Do you work in medical technology and want to explore how to make your products, materials, or processes more circular? MEDI4Future offers opportunities to gain knowledge, participate in training sessions, and test circular solutions in practice. For the pilot projects, eight SMEs from various regions will be selected through an open call. They will receive guidance on applying and testing the MEDI4Future toolbox. Contact person:Tessa Dijkgraaf Project Manager Health, Oost NL +31 6 18 58 19 75 tessa.dijkgraaf@oostnl.nl&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://cms.thinkeast.nl/uploads/logo_medi4future_fa83b127_934f461c94.png" alt="logo-medi4future-fa83b127.png" srcset="https://cms.thinkeast.nl/uploads/thumbnail_logo_medi4future_fa83b127_934f461c94.png 245w, https://cms.thinkeast.nl/uploads/small_logo_medi4future_fa83b127_934f461c94.png 500w, https://cms.thinkeast.nl/uploads/medium_logo_medi4future_fa83b127_934f461c94.png 750w, https://cms.thinkeast.nl/uploads/large_logo_medi4future_fa83b127_934f461c94.png 1000w" sizes="100vw" width="1000"></figure>Photo license: AdobeStock_1290622777

The MedTech sector develops products that advance healthcare. At the same time, the sector generates a significant amount of waste, for example from single-use medical devices, gloves, and surgical gowns. MEDI4Future brings together companies, research institutions, and regional innovation partners from Northwestern Europe to change this. The project helps MedTech companies make circular solutions practically viable without compromising safety, quality, or regulatory compliance.