The Baden-Württemberg healthcare industry
Medical technology
Medical technology plays a key role in health and makes an important contribution to improving quality of life. The spectrum of medical technology ranges from disposable products such as dressing materials to IT-based applications, for example telemedicine and eHealth systems, to innovative technologies such as robotics or imaging techniques. In Baden-Württemberg, 836 companies are active in research, development and/or production in this field, making medical technology one of the most important economic sectors in the state.
In 2023, the 836 medical technology companies generated a taxable turnover of 15.52 billion euros and employed a total of 54,366 people. This puts Baden-Württemberg in the top position in a Germany-wide comparison.1) The largest concentration of medical technology companies is located in the Schwarzwald-Baar-Heuberg region, followed by Stuttgart/Tübingen and the Rhine-Neckar region.
In addition to many small and medium-sized companies, Baden-Württemberg is home to large companies such as Aesculap/B. Braun Melsungen, Bruker BioSpin and STRATEC Biomedical. This is where traditional craftsmanship in the fields of materials development, materials refinement and production techniques meets the development and application of high-tech, innovative biomaterials and artificial intelligence. This diversity of companies and entrepreneurship and the close links with top research centres, universities and university hospitals in Baden-Württemberg make it possible for new developments to emerge across value chains and industries.
Over the last ten years, more than 90 medical technology companies have been founded in Baden-Württemberg. Cumulatively over the last ten years, Mannheim/Heidelberg and Schwarzwald-Baar-Heuberg are strong start-up regions. The focus of start-ups is spread across all fields of activity. There is a lot of movement in the healthcare market, particularly in the area of eHealth.
What is certain is that digitalisation will fundamentally change healthcare. How quickly this will happen depends on various developments, including the European Health Data Space (EHDS) as part of the European data strategy and the utilisation of secondary healthcare data.
In order to counter the increasing competition from international players and players outside this particular sector of industry, it will still be important in future to promote the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship in the country and to further strengthen it through targeted networking and cooperation.
