HEALTH MADE IN GERMANY

The Medical
Technology Sector

1THE MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY SECTOR

Summary
The global coronavirus pandemic has had a devastating effect on health and economic systems
around the world. An international comparison
shows that the German health system remained aforce to be reckoned with during this time – withthe local medical technology industry leading theway. Germany’s medical technology sector is wellpositioned in international markets. It has established strong trading partnerships with healthcare
stakeholders across the world and is profitingfrom increased demand worldwide.

By combining long-standing competences in engineering, manufacturing, and healthcare, German
companies are pioneers in the development of
new medical devices and services, providing stateof-the-art products that fulfill the highest quality
and safety standards in accordance with international regulations. The industry also benefits fromexceptional research facilities in both the healthand engineering disciplines, optimal healthcare
infrastructure with internationally renowned hospitals, and excellent manufacturing standards.

EUR 34.2 bn
turnover generated by
the German medical
technolgy sector in 2020

1,400+

German manufacturers activein the medical technology sector

66%

of German medical technology products
in 2020

1,278

German medical technology patentapplications in Europe in 20192

The Medical Technology Sector | health-made-in-germany.com

Market Data
The medical technology industry is a major pillar among modern healthcare systems, providing
innovative solutions for current challenges andneeds. German companies enjoy global acclaim
for their high-quality products and services,
allowing Germany to consolidate its position as
one of the world’s leading healthcare providers.
The sector in Germany consists predominantlyof family-owned small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) who are backed by tradition,
quality, and high standardization. In 2020, theapproximately 1,450 medical device manufacturers (>20 employees) and their 152,000 employees
generated EUR 34.2 billion in total sales. This represents a continuous revenue growth compared
to previous years (e.g. 2018: EUR 30.2 billion,
2019: EUR 33.4 billion). The industry is strongly
committed to research and development (R&D).
Approximately nine percent of revenue is spent
on R&D activities. The high degree of innovation in the German medical technology sector
is further borne out by the fact that one-thirdof turnover is generated from medical productsthat are just three years old or younger. Germany
is second only to the United States in terms of
medical technology patents filed at the European
Patent Office.
Excellent domestic R&D conditions have contributed to the formation of a diverse start-up
environment in Germany. Driven by regional governments, large companies, and clinics, more thana dozen accelerators and local hubs support thefoundation of new medtech start-ups – most ofthem focusing on digital health solutions.

German Medical Technology Turnover 2018 to2020
in EUR billion

2018

2019

2020

Domestic

10.5

11.4

11.7

Exports

19.8

21.9

22.5

Medical Technology Turnover in the EU 2018
in percent

41.0

12.3

Germany

France

12.2

Italy

6.3

5.5

UK

Switzerland

Source: SPECTARIS (2020)

This innovative spirit goes well beyond medical
technology companies active in the field of inpatient and out-patient healthcare, rehabilitation, and prevention. Germany also has a solidbase of companies providing high-quality andinnovative processing, production, and manufacturing services to clients in the medical technology industry.
These attributes are major reasons for the success of German medical technology companies
in the global market. A large share of revenue isgenerated from exports – Germany is the thirdlargest provider of medical technology services
and products globally. The strongest demandarises from its nearest neighbors; with one-thirdof European medtech sales originating from German companies and almost half of all German
medical technology exports going to other European countries.
Germany is also a respected trading partner inNorth America and Asia – regions that accountfor approximately 19 percent of German exports
respectively. Emerging markets such as China andIndia have also helped revenue growth, providing
a solid base for German medical technology companies international expansion activities.

Source: BVMed (2020)3

EMERGING MARKETS AND DIGITAL HEALTH

Industry Trends
Growing Export Markets
Demand for modern healthcare infrastructure– based on high-quality medical technology
products and standards – is rising across theglobe thanks to increasing economic wealth andwell-being as well as demographic change. The
German medical technology industry is excellently
positioned to meet this demand, enjoying export
growth in Asian, African, and Middle Eastern countries. One of the most important emerging markets is China where German companies generated
sales of around EUR 2.2 billion in 2020, surpassed
only by sales of EUR 4.3 billion in the UnitedStates. Other rising trading partners include Japan,
India, and a number of African countries. New
regulatory frameworks for the approval or market
entry of foreign medical products based on existing CE marks will stimulate further expansion inthese markets.

German Medical Technology Exports by
Country 2020
in EUR billion

4.3

2.2

USA

China

1.5

1.4

FranceNetherlands

1.2

Italy

Source: SPECTARIS (2021)

based patient data storing, or digital doctor-topatient communication tools.
Germany’s dynamic digital health landscape ishome to established corporations and start-ups
alike, bringing together long-standing IT expertise and high-level healthcare professionals in
hospitals and clinics. One of the major issues
faced in this industry is the interlinking of inpatient and out-patient care which is leading
to improvement for rehabilitation services andhomecare. Wearables, cloud computing, blockchain technologies, artificial intelligence (AI)approaches, deep learning tools, and virtual reality systems are all explored to help meet today’s
healthcare needs and challenges.

Digital Innovation
Demand for digital health products and telemedicine devices continues to rise exponentiallythanks to advanced global health standards. The
disruptive nature of digital health innovationis transforming the structure of health systems
worldwide – offering new growth opportunities
for digital health solutions. The German medical
technology industry is in the position to provide
a broad spectrum of services in this field; be it
medical imaging and diagnostics, IT-based medical information systems, video consultation,
wearables to monitor chronic diseases, cloud-German Medical Technology Export Turnover by Region 2020
in percent

41.0

EU

Asia

19.4

North
America18.2

Rest ofEuropeNear East

10.5

4.0

Source: SPECTARIS (2021)

4

The Medical Technology Sector | health-made-in-germany.com

During the Covid-19 pandemic, healthcare systems and the respective industry have had torespond with quick and constant innovation; notonly in terms of digitalization but also in manydifferent branches and the respective companies
within the field of medical technology.
Developments to be expected from Covid-19(Top 10 trends)
Trend 1 Increasing digital sales and services
Trend 2 Accelerated market consolidation
Trend 3 New work models and digital collaboration form the “new normal”
Trend 4 Increased pressure on healthcare budgets
due to declining health insurance income
Trend 5 Growing acceptance of telemedicine anddigital out-patient care concepts
Trend 6 Acceleration of digitalization process inmedical technology and hospitals
Trend 7 In-vitro diagnostics, robotics/automationand sensors as technology winners
Trend 8 Pandemic risk and prevention shape
health care
Trend 9 Persistent staff shortages in nursing andhealth care, improved access to engineers
Trend 10 Trade fairs replaced by digital event
formats
Thriving in crisis
By understanding market demand and trends,
businesses have a greater chance of surviving
or even benefiting from the pandemic scenario.
This could be seen as a reason why there is a relatively optimistic outlook on the effects of theCovid-19 pandemic in the medical technology
market. This is grounded in the fact that there isa newfound appreciation and public awarenessof tech-enabled ways to manage healthcare andthe life-saving technological developments for,or implemented during, the pandemic.
The digitalization of many branches forcescompanies to rethink digital awareness andthe possibilities to benefit from this new direction. Through the acquisition of new tools andskills to deal with digital sales and services andimplementing previously unseen strategies, forinstance cooperative competition, many SMEs
have been able to thrive during the pandemic.
It is now more obvious to companies to diversify
their workforce. Finding new talent and committing to broadening the fields within their own
company area of expertise is essential.

The acquisition of more strategic and agile supply chains creates more possibilities for growthand stability within the German medical technology market. This benefits those looking to alignwith this market segment.
The Covid-19 pandemic has demonstrated therelevance of the medical technology sector. As
a result, the federal government has supported
the industry through targeted stimulus. This
allows new technological breakthroughs to reachthe proposed patients at a swift pace. The mosteffective way to combat this virus, but alsodiseases in general, is through early detection,
rapid and accurate diagnosis, monitoring of thetreatment process, and the acute therapeuticmeasures taken. Germany provided the needed
infrastructure to meet the increase in respiratory equipment, computer tomography systems,
blood gas systems, X-ray (thorax), and ultrasound systems.
Protective mask market opportunities
The protective mask market currently offers
attractive opportunities and Germany is theleading medical technology and PPE export
nation in Europe, boasting an export rate of
50 percent to other EU member countries. Forinternational companies diverse partnership
opportunities exist within the German protective mask market, ranging from equipment
manufacturers, intermediate product suppliers,
and R&D establishments. Manufacturers in Germany have successfully applied for production
funding equivalent to the production capacityof around 7.5 billion protective masks annually.

DIGITAL HEALTH SECTORHEALTH MADE IN GERMANY

The Digital Health
Sector1

A significant number ofcompanies in Germany
are developing digital
health solutions. Thispublication gives an
overview of the sector
and provides partner
links.

5

BROAD PRODUCT AND SERVICE SPECTRUM

Sector Structure
The German medical technology sector is dominated by family-owned SMEs. According to industry association SPECTARIS, a total of 1,450 German
medical technology companies had a workforceof more than 20 people in 2019 – making a total
workforce of around 152,000. Around 11,000 small
enterprises with less than 20 employees anda total workforce of almost 61,000 people canbe added to this, creating overall manpower ofapproximately 213,000 employees in the domestic
medical technology industry. Diversification along
the healthcare value chain is very high in termsof the business activities of these companies.
German companies cover the entire medical technology value chain. These include the following
categories listed below.

HEALTH MADE IN GERMANY AT MEDICA
Since 1969, MEDICA, the world’s leading medical technology trade
show, has opened its doors in November in Düsseldorf. The industry event offers more than 5,200 exhibitors from 70 countries an
excellent platform to meet with potential customers, partners,
and experts. HEALTH MADE IN GERMANY and Germany Trade &Invest are participating at MEDICA with a multi-featured exhibition stand.
With a broad spectrum of expert presentations addressing
different market segments, one-to-one meeting service, and an
exclusive tour for foreign diplomats, HEALTH MADE IN GERMANY
highlights the major strengths of the German medical technology
sector. The MEDICA booth also represents an excellent starting
point for international visitors to find industry partners inGermany.

German Medical Technology Workforce 2019
employee numbers

61,000152,000

>20  

<20

Source: SPECTARIS (2020)• Preventive medicine & diagnostics: Germany has
a diagnostics sector with many companies providing innovative point-of-care and laboratory
diagnostics as well as electrodiagnostic tools
such as ultrasound systems and magnet resonance tomography (MRT). The fundamentals ofmodern endoscopy originated within Germany.
Large globally active corporations have their
imaging R&D centers located in Germany forthis reason and work in unison with university
hospitals and start-ups. New health trends
such as wearables, digital health and AI further
boost innovative diagnostics development. The
Covid-19 pandemic clearly illustrates the multiple effects of a global health crisis. The impact
on public health and the socio-economic consequences affect all areas of life. Germany was
uniquely positioned to respond as swiftly as it
did because its laboratories have the expertise,accreditation, and equipment to conduct PCR
assays as well as quickly deliver diagnostics andscale-up testing capacity.
• Therapeutic treatments: The spread of theCovid-19 virus, which mainly affects the respiratory system, has led to an increased demand
for medical devices in the field of ventilationand oxygen therapy. In Germany, the production of apparatus and devices for oxygen andventilation therapy rose by 33 percent to 426
million units in the first three quarters of 2020 incomparison to the same period in the previous
year. As the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis)
also reports, the production value increased
by approximately 60 percent to EUR 900 million in the same period. Germany was already6

The Medical Technology Sector | health-made-in-germany.com

internationally renowned for its medical devices
and monitoring products before the coronavirus pandemic drove growth in diverse medtech
sectors. These devices and products set out toprovide clinicians, doctors, and patients withthe essential data sets and basic information
required for implementing targeted medical
treatments. A major asset is the integration of
new developments from other health-related
sectors – including the biotechnology, IT, andpharmaceutical industry sectors – in the medical
technology field that leads to completely new
therapy approaches. There is also a strong focus
on new technologies and systems for surgeons
installed in operation theaters, where instrument and device connectivity and interoperability present major challenges. Here, the German
medical technology industry is working together
with experts in academic research institutes andclinics to identify efficient solutions.
• Rehabilitation and patient care: Thanks to thecomprehensive medical aids available in Germany, patients can resume their normal lives
as quickly as possible. Through a wide range of
rehabilitation opportunities, whether as out- or
in-patient, there is far more support and assistance for different illnesses, addictions and disorders. The structure of medical aid companies
in Germany is very heterogeneous and includes
specialized healthcare providers (e.g. opticians,
hearing care professionals, and orthopedic technicians), authorized medical supply stores, andhome care companies who focus on the supply
of medical aids. German companies have developed a broad portfolio of medical devices that
support nursing staff, home care agents, andphysiotherapists in their daily out-patient careroutine.

PHARMACEUTICAL SECTOR
The pharmaceuticalindustry is the largest
sector within the German healthcare industry. This publication
highlights its strengths
and international partnership opportunities.

HEALTH MADE IN GERMANY

The Pharmaceutical
SectorBased on its strong tradition in the orthopedic
field, Germany is a forerunner when it comesto new developments such as exoskeletons.
There are a number of rehabilitation-relevantinnovations made in Germany, including robotassisted wearable systems for gait training thatare connected to other digital mobile devices or
new approaches for wheelchairs. Other initiatives focus on online-based therapeutic tools
for chronic diseases such as diabetes, mental
illness, and neurodegenerative diseases. Digitalsolutions and telemedicine products are developed to improve home care, which has become
increasingly important in out-patient treatment
during the Covid-19 pandemic.
• Health IT infrastructure and data handling: A
powerful infrastructure offering efficient medical information systems is an imperative for
effective treatment decisions and doctor-patientcommunication during in- and out-patient carescenarios. One of the key drivers is digitalization,
expanding functionalities, and improving dataprotection levels. German IT-focused medical
technology companies are renowned for providing high-quality solutions and systems in thesefields. They are in particularly high demand
among emerging countries currently in the process of establishing or modernizing their healthcare infrastructure. One important component
in this respect is the Digital Healthcare Act(DVG), which from 2020 makes digital healthcare
mobile applications in Germany eligible for coverage by the stationary health insurance (SHI)
funds – “apps on prescription.” Successful digitalsolutions are developed from the perspective of
the patient and focus on individual needs andeveryday actions.
• Dental medicine: The German dental manufacturing industry has a rich history and traditionand has been organized under the VDDI industry
organization since 1916. It has been and remains
a pioneer in the development of innovative
products and solutions for both dental offices
and dental laboratories. Germany is home to along-established dental manufacturing industry
that is mainly composed of around 200 SMEs
with a total of 21,293 employees. According to
VDDI, these businesses generated a turnover of
EUR 5.5 billion in 2019 with an astonishing EUR
3.4 billion solely from exports.

1

7

REGIONAL NETWORKS AND STRONG COLLABORATIONThe Medical Technology
Landscape in Germany
Regional Strengths and Traditions
Germany’s medical technology industry boasts
regional hotspots across the entire country, whichbuild upon specific regional industry traditions.
A high density of manufacturers, producers, andsuppliers can be found in the south of Germany,
biomedical applications and laboratory equipment are strongest in the west, and companies
with a focus on optical and diagnostic devices
are more represented in the east and north of thecountry.
High Quality Healthcare Infrastructure
A nationwide system of high-quality, innovationdriven hospitals and university clinics provides astrong platform for Germany’s export-oriented
medical technology industry. It offers an excellent starting point for testing and implementing
novel solutions for in-patient and out-patientcare. Every year, Germany’s 1,900 hospitals andtheir 900,000 employees take care of around 19
million patients. There are around 1,100 rehabilita-

Medical Technology European Patent Agency Applications 2020
by country of origin

USA
1,210

Japan

1,011

Netherlands

709

France677

Switzerland

676

Israel500

United Kingdom

436

China

414
637

Source: European Patent Office (2021)

8

Clinical Study Expertise
The nurturing environment of hospitals and clinical infrastructure in Germany lends an excellent
background for clinical studies to evaluate andcertify the quality and safety of medical devices
and to conduct health technology assessments.
Increasing requirements demanded by the newEuropean Medical Device Regulation (MDR)
make general experience in this area even more
relevant. Close relationships between research
institutes, universities, and hospitals put German
medical technology companies at the forefront in
coping with these challenges. This applies specifically to small and medium-sized businesses that
often address niche markets.

5,519

Germany

Othertion centers, 15,380 nursing homes, and a further
14,688 nursing service providers in the country. In
terms of national health expenditure, Germany
is among the world’s leading top five countries
behind the United States, Switzerland, and France
respectively. In 2019, health expenditure exceeded
EUR 410 billion in Germany, representing a totalof 11 percent of gross domestic product. The
immense strength of the German healthcare
infrastructure can be seen in the rapid increase intesting possibilities and laboratory capacity madeavailable to compensate for Covid-19 testing.

Pooling together resources that allow synergy
effects and minimizing R&D costs through jointpurchasing initiatives or working groups on regulatory issues are just some of the strategies followed by German companies. Matchmaking andnetworking are supported by around 30 regional
and local cluster initiatives focusing on medical
technology. More than half of them are recognized by the national “go-cluster” excellence
program based on the guidelines of the European
Cluster Excellence Initiative (ECEI).
R&D Excellence
Germany’s medical technology industry profits
from a strong R&D focus within these networks
stimulating the foundation of new start-ups.
Several accelerators and hub initiatives have been
established to support founders in the medical technology sector setting up their businesses
in accordance to market needs and regulatory
requirements. New financing sources for medical
technology businesses have also been made avail-The Medical Technology Sector | health-made-in-germany.com

able, such as crowdfunding platforms that arededicated to health businesses providing founders with seed capital for new ideas. Statutory
health insurances opened up new ways of financing, offering special support programs for young
enterprises in digital health. Large international
networks with a strong foundation in Germany
boost additional growth which includes projects
such as the EIT Health initiative, connecting morethan 140 leading European organizations covering
all key areas of healthcare from industry, payers,

research, and finance. These types of international
collaboration promote a strong German medical
technology sector expansion. The ratio of total
R&D spending to gross domestic product (GDP) in
Germany reached 3.17 percent in 2019 – exceeding
once again the European Union target of 3 percent. The private sector spent over EUR 75.6 billion
on internal R&D activities and awarded researchcontracts with a value of EUR 21.6 billion to thirdparty service providers and institutes.

Medical Technology Manufacturing and Innovation Clusters in Germany

SchleswigHolstein

1 BioCon Valley

1
Rostock

Lübeck

2 Life Science Nord

MecklenburgVorpommern

2
Hamburg

3 Auditory Valley Oldenburg

3

BremenOldenburg

4 HealthCapital Berlin-Brandenburg

Niedersachsen
Hannover5 medways e.V.

Brandenburg

6 biosaxony

SaxonyAnhalt

North RineWestphalia

7 Medical Valley EMN e.V.

Düsseldorf

5
Hessen9 BIOPRO Baden-Württemberg

Mainz

401-900

7 Erlangen
98Nürnberg

Stuttgart
Bavaria

101-400
10-100Thuringia

Dresden 6

Jena

Frankfurt

RheinlandPfalz

SaarlandNumber of Companies

SaxonyErfurt8 Forum MedTech Pharma e.V.

10 MedicalMountains GmbH

4 Berlin

Magdeburg

BadenWürttemberg

München10 Tuttlingen

Source: GTAI (2020)

9INDUSTRY VOICESGerman Expertise
German medical technology companies offer alarge portfolio of medical products and manufacturing services for national and international
clients. Foreign markets appreciate the innovativetechnologies, excellent product quality and industry focus on product safety in accordance withregulatory requirements. International businessstrategies play an important role for large corporations, family-owned mid-sized companies andtechnology-focused start-ups active in the
medical technology sector.
Here, leading representatives of three German
medical technology companies report on whatmakes their expertise so interesting for international partners, why global alliances and strategic
partnerships are the key to successful businessdevelopment and what they have learned fromthe corona pandemic.
Erbe Elektromedizin GmbH develops, produces,and sells surgical systems worldwide for professional use in a wide variety of medical fields.
Erbe is a leader in many countries and thus
an integral part of the surgical workflow. The
portfolio includes devices and instruments forelectrosurgery, thermofusion, plasma surgery,cryosurgery and hydrosurgery. Erbe employs over
1,000 people worldwide, more than 650 of themat the Tübingen and Rangendingen sites.
Drägerwerk AG & Co. KGaA, a family-owned company founded in Lübeck in 1889, has now developed into a global listed group. Dräger develops,
produces, and sells equipment and systems in thefields of medical and safety technology. The company employs more than 15,000 people worldwide,
and is represented in over 190 countries. The medical division’s product range includes anesthesia
workstations, ventilators for intensive care, criticalcare and transport ventilation, and heat therapy
for newborns.
The ATMOS Group employs around 300 people
worldwide. It is internationally positioned with
15 subsidiaries, representative offices in India andColombia and approx. 70 country representatives. ATMOS supplies manufacturers, distributors,
hospitals, and doctors worldwide with medical
suction systems as well as complete solutions for
ENT, gynecology, and swallowing diagnostics.

Christian O. Erbe
CEO & President, Erbe Elektromedizin GmbH,
TübingenWhat distinguishes Medtech “made in Germany” in international comparison?
Medtech made in Germany has always been associated with technological differentiation and highproduct quality. That is still the case today but thefocus now is on being the solution provider thatplaces customer and patient benefits at the centerof its products and services. The way to achieve
this is increasingly through ecological sustainability – which is a top priority at Medtech made inGermany.
What can international partners expect fromworking with Erbe Elektromedizin GmbH?
We are an owner-managed family business with170 years of tradition. We don’t look back to thepast but to the future. Long-standing cooperation
based on respect, trust and innovation is particularly important to us. One of our six strategic fields
is internationalization. Beyond international sales,
our declared goal here is to significantly expand thefields of research, development, production andlogistics globally.
What are your most important “lessons
learned” from the corona crisis for international
business?
We used the time to draw up a strategic plan andanalyzed and optimized our company’s processes.
Among other things, the communication channels
to our 17 subsidiaries and our international business
partners were expanded – with digitalization playing a predominant role. We are currently reviewing
the reliability of our supply chains. The focus here
is on security of supply, both for the flow of goods
into the company and to the customer.
www.erbe-med.com

10

The Medical Technology Sector | health-made-in-germany.com

Stefan Dräger
Chairman of the Executive Board, Drägerwerk
Verwaltungs AG, Lübeck

Left: Frank Greiser, Right: Maik Greiser
CEOs, ATMOS MedizinTechnik GmbH & Co. KG.,
Lenzkirch

What distinguishes Medtech “made inGermany” in international comparison?
Reliability! A high percentage of medical technology made in Germany comes from medium-sizedenterprises which typically are owner-operated.
The owners are responsible for keeping the promises made to customers, regarding performance aswell as delivery, even in crises.

What distinguishes Medtech “made inGermany” in international comparison?
Since the term was introduced, ‘Made in Germany’has been synonymous with quality leadership.
Products manufactured in Germany are therefore
highly regarded worldwide, with special focus on
precision, reliability, durability, sustainability andefficiency. It is also reflected in the level of innovation. Germany is among the top 5 in the world
rankings of patent applications, with a great potential of success with high-quality innovations.

What can international partners expect fromworking with Dräger?
Great customer intimacy with application knowhow and service with competent employees
located in more than 50 countries. High-quality
standards, not only with our products but also inhandling complex projects and customer training.
What are your most important “lessons
learned” from the corona crisis for international
business?
Multilateral relationships across borders between
customers and suppliers are essential for keeping health care systems running throughout theworld. Our headquarter is in Lübeck, the capitalof the Hanseatic League, which, already in the
Middle Ages, built its prosperity by crossing borders. This has been reaffirmed in the current crisis,
and is more relevant than ever: A free economic
system is resilient even in crises. If bottlenecks
should occur after a price spike, new alternative
pathways and resources immediately open up,
which can fill the gaps. The disruptions which
occurred during the crisis were mainly caused bypolitical interference.
www.draeger.com

What can international partners expect fromworking with ATMOS MedizinTechnik?
As a company based on a long tradition, we place
the highest value on long-term “proven partnerships”. We regard our business partners as an integral part of the global team and a driver of success.
We also pay special attention to the selection of
new partners. We consider a comparison of mutual
expectations at an early stage to be essential andindispensable in order to be successful together
later on. For us the “WE” – as a sense of community
wins.
What are your most important “lessons
learned” from the corona crisis for international
business?
For ATMOS, 2020 was a very successful year despite the corona crisis. In our business, we rely
especially on four pillars: an indispensable will toact decisively - “adapt and overcome”, motivatedand well-trained employees, internationalization
with our own subsidiaries in the most important
markets and a balanced, diversified and crisis-proof
product portfolio.
www.atmosmed.com/eng

11

OUR PARTNERS

Industry Associations
The German medical technology sector is represented by a number of industry associations
that lobby for improvements for their member
companies. HEALTH MADE IN GERMANY works
closely together with them to provide support
for international companies seeking collaboration and partnerships with German companies
active in the medical technology sector. To further enhance sector visibility, we facilitate thepresence of German players at relevant industry
events such as MEDICA – the world’s leading
trade fair for the medical industry – and provide
a platform for connecting with international
partners.

packages for almost any medical challenge for the
benefit of patients all over the world.
GHA connects stakeholders from business, science,research, governments, and NGO institutions. In
addition, as an initiative of the Federation of German Industries (BDI), the GHA works closely withnumerous German companies, national and international partner organizations with a focus on
global health, innovative medical technology, as
well as health-related solutions and services thatare needed in order to improve broad access toquality healthcare. All this makes it an ideal platform for the German health expertise.
www.gha.healthEnhancing Health

BVMed – German Medical Technology
Association
As a trade association, the BVMed promotes andrepresents the interests of around 230 German,international manufacturers and suppliers to the
medical technology industry as well as aid service
providers and homecare providers to politicians andthe public. This is done through active participationin the shaping of laws, guidelines, ordinances andstandards as well as through information and public
relations. The BVMed is the voice of the German
medtech industry and especially of medtech SMEs.
www.bvmed.de/english

GHA - German Health Alliance
The German Healthcare Alliance (GHA) unites the
skills and interests of more than 110 leading German players with an international orientation.
More than 50 members come from all areas of
medical technology, and can supply approximately
80 percent of hospital equipment worldwide. The
organization provides a wide range of products
and services enabling the design of comprehensive, innovative and customer-oriented solution

12

SPECTARIS – German Hightech Industry
Association
SPECTARIS represents the interests of around 420
member companies from Germany, associated infour sector-specific associations: Medical technology; Consumer Optics; Analytical, Bio and Laboratory technology as well as Photonics. Through its
political activities, public relations and industry
marketing, the association gives its members avoice, formulates new responsibilities and opens
up new markets. This ensures the international
competitiveness of German industry in these sectors.
In the medical technologies sector, SPECTARIS
represents around 150 German capital goods andauxiliary aid companies that mostly produce
high-tech products and have a pronounced exportorientation. The member companies cover an
extensive research and applications environment
which includes medical products for diagnostic
and surgery purposes to supply systems and anesthesia and intensive care devices. The association
also represents manufacturers of ophthalmic
devices, large and small sterilisators, medical functional room equipment, respiratory home therapy,
rehabilitation aids, and orthopedic technology.

The Medical Technology Sector | health-made-in-germany.com

www.spectaris.de/enVDDI – Verband der Deutschen DentalIndustrie
The German dental industry’s products occupy aleading position globally. They are a key componentof the healthcare industry in Germany. The Association of German Dental Manufacturers (VDDI)
is based in Cologne. It represents the interests ofaround 200 enterprises in this sector.

ZVEI - Zentralverband Elektrotechnik- undElektronikindustrie e.V.
ZVEI, the German Electrical and Electronic
Manufacturers’ Association is among the mostimportant industrial associations in Germany. It
represents the interests of a high-tech sector witha very wide and extremely dynamic product portfolio.

Recent surveys indicate that in 2019, VDDI member
companies employed more than 21.000 workers andgenerated around EUR 5.5 billion in earnings. On
average, member companies invest about 8 percentof their earnings in research and development. The
aim of research and development in the dental
industry is to supply applied dental technology andmaterials including innovative systems and new
methods for practitioners and patients. The development of new diagnoses and therapy is based on
close cooperation with academic dental medicine.

In the area of medical devices, ZVEI is representing manufacturers of electromedical equipment
and the associated software products in medical
diagnostics and therapy. These products are forexample being used in medical imaging, intensive
care, surgery and telemedicine. With proposals on
research, technology, environmental protection,
education and science policy, ZVEI is a pacemakerof technological progress. It supports marketrelated international standardization work andinternational trade.

www.vddi.dewww.zvei.org

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OUR SERVICESHEALTH MADE IN GERMANY
Germany is one of the world’s most important
providers and exporters of healthcare products
and services. The country’s innovative medical
products set international standards for quality,
safety and reliability. German manufacturers andservice providers in all health and life sciences
segments attract overseas customers and partners
and deliver leadership in healthcare innovation.
HEALTH MADE IN GERMANY is the export initiative
for the German healthcare industry. It supports
international companies and organizations that areinterested in establishing contact with potential
German partners and suppliers. Set up by theGerman Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs andClimate Action (BMWK), the initiative bundles
expert market intelligence for easy industry access.
One of the initiative’s main goals is to promote theGerman healthcare sector through international
networking activities for the mutual benefit ofinternational partners and German companies alike.

insight), introductory services, and networking
platforms including trade events at home andabroad. The initiative serves four major industries
active in the international medical market:
pharmaceuticals, medical technology, medical
biotechnology, and digital health care.
HEALTH MADE IN GERMANY also works closelywith 16 major German industry associations andis part of the BMWK’s MITTELSTAND GLOBAL
umbrella program for small and medium-sizedenterprises. The initiative is ideally placed toprovide access to German healthcare market
information and to help overseas businesses
identify potential German partners.
The HEALTH MADE IN GERMANY initiative is
implemented by Germany Trade & Invest, theeconomic development agency of the Federal
Republic of Germany, on behalf of the BMWK.

HEALTH MADE IN GERMANY does this by providing
proactive support (including market and regulatory

For more information:www.health-made-in-germany.com

Our support for your business:
We publish market briefs, in-depth market
studies and company directories of theGerman healthcare industry and its different sectors.
Our calendar is regularly updated withthe latest industry events in Germany
and overseas.
We take part in leading healthcare
trade fairs all over the world, organize
networking events and enjoy ongoing
dialogue and exchange with international
health policymakers.

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The Medical Technology Sector | health-made-in-germany.com

We provide free access to 3,500+ German
healthcare companies with our online database. Detailed company profiles and directcontact information help international
businesses to identify potential suppliers
and partners in Germany.
Visit www.health-made-in-germany.com
for more information about the German
healthcare industry and all HEALTH MADE
IN GERMANY activities.

CONTACT

Expert Advice

Imprint
Publisher
Germany Trade and Invest
Gesellschaft für Außenwirtschaft
und Standortmarketing mbH
Friedrichstraße 60
10117 Berlin
Germany
Executive Board
Dr. Jürgen Friedrich, Chairman/CEO
Dr. Robert Hermann, CEO
EditorWilliam MacDougall, Germany Trade & Invest, Berlin

Stefanie Zenk is the senior manager responsible
for the medical technology and digital healthindustries at HEALTH MADE IN GERMANY. She isyour point of contact for expert advice in thesefields and looks forward to receiving your inquiries
and requests.

Author
CONOSCOPE GmbH, Leipzig

Get in touch with us to learn more about what
HEALTH MADE IN GERMANY can do for you.

Notes
All rights reserved.
© Germany Trade & Invest, February 2022
Reproduction, in whole or in part, only permissible
with express prior authorization. All market data
provided is based on the most current market
information available at the time of publication.
­Germany Trade & Invest accepts no liability forthe actuality, accuracy, or completeness of theinformation provided.

Stefanie Zenk
Senior Manager, Medical Technology andDigital Health
T +49 30 200 099-756
Stefanie.Zenk@gtai.com
www.health-made-in-germany.com
www.gtai.com

Print
Kern GmbH, 66450 Bexbach
www.kerndruck.de

Order Number
21129-2
Picture Credits
Front page: Siemens Healthineers; page 6:
aschoffotografie/Bildkraftwerk; page 10: Erbe
Elektromedizin GmbH; page 11: Drägerwerk
Verwaltungs AG, ATMOS MedizinTechnik GmbH;
page 15: Illing & Vossbeck Fotografie

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About Us
Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI) is the economic development agencyof the Federal Republic of Germany. The company helps create andsecure extra employment opportunities, strengthening Germany as
a business location. With more than 50 offices in Germany and abroad
and its network of partners throughout the world, GTAI supports
German companies setting up in foreign markets, promotes Germany as
a business location and assists foreign companies setting up in Germany.
All investment services and related publications are free of charge.

Germany Trade & Invest
Headquarters
Friedrichstraße 60
10117 Berlin
Germany
T +49 30 200 099-0
F +49 30 200 099-111
invest@gtai.com
www.gtai.com

Germany Trade & Invest
Bonn Office
Villemombler Straße 76
53123 Bonn
Germany
T +49 228 249 93-0
F +49 228 249 93-212
info@gtai.de
www.gtai.de