Developing Circular Solutions

In order to ensure long term sustainability in our own operations, we need to rethink the way we deliver our solutions. Our ambition is to deliver more circular solutions driven by both circular use of materials and more circular and dematerialized user approaches.

The transition towards a more circular approach is driven by a ‘’Reduce-Reuse-Recycle’’ mindset that is integrated throughout the organization. To integrate sustainability into everything we do, we have devel-oped the Laerdal Future Fit model using elements from the Future-Fit Benchmark Model used by Novo Nordisk.

In working towards this ambition, we will deliver on our commitment of helping save lives while using less and more sustainable materials. We will ensure that our equipment is used in an efficient manner e.g. by developing sharing models, digital solutions and by building eco-systems to allow organizations requiring healthcare training to connect to equipment already in the field. The shift towards a circular business model is not only vital to deliver sustainable solutions, it is also key to achieving our ambition of carbon neutrality.

Laerdal Circular Model

We will minimize our input of raw materials through a combination of recycling material and components and by developing more solutions that increase productivity. Our materials team are continually investigating new solutions to increase the sustainability of our material use. They have over the last year reviewed bio-based solutions as alternatives for plastic in our products.

The findings suggest that even though new technol-ogies and solutions are emerging, there are so far limitations to it’s durability, which for Laerdal is a key factor for sustainability. We are moving towards more use of such solutions but need to ensure that product durability is not compromised. Enhancing sustainability of our long-life products through changing the user models will increase user produc-tivity and decrease the material needed to deliver the solution.

Designing for more circular and dematerialised user models are key aspects of the product development process. Using the Laerdal Future Fit model, our development teams are focusing on design solutions which lead to a more sustainable product. They are finding alternative ways to reduce the amount of plastic used, making good choices on plastic types, including using non-virgin plastic where possible, and ensuring the products are designed to be easy to service and upgrade. But sustainability is not just about the product; it is also about reducing the amount of packaging material necessary and choosing sustainable packaging.

We have developed the ZeroAim Sustainability Guide to aid us in providing relevant direction to designers and engineers. Its purpose is to help to evaluate and compare multiple concepts and design more sustainable products. The guide also helps us to think about the impact of our decisions through-out the lifetime of products. Through integrating this tool, sustainability is not an add on, it is a core development feature.

In the approach towards a circular solution delivery, the manufacturing process is important. We have internal initiatives in place and planned to achieve operational efficiency through elimination of waste, recycling, using renewable energy, and enhancing resource and energy efficiency. A large part of our production is done by external suppliers, and it is key to collaborate in this change.

We will work with our suppliers to exchange knowledge and learn from each other in a health and safety focussed manner. We have already started using the OECD guidelines on environmental im-pact as a framework to assess our own production and are expecting the same from our suppliers.

Closing the loop in our supply chain is dependent on an increased use of logistics to optimize our circular product services, both in our take-back systems, and in our new sales models.

In this transition we will use our transportation tool to optimize our logistics and use transportation driven by renewable energy where possible.

A vital part in our transition towards more circular solutions are the changes that we are making to our sales and user models. We are transitioning from linear models to circular models through developing shared, digital and service-based solutions. These solutions will not only help us decrease our envi-ronmental impact through dematerialization and productive use, they will also enable us to enhance our goals of helping save lives.

We will be able to increase the access to our solutions and train more people using less resources in doing so.

In Laerdal we have always had a great focus on durability and quality, which are key in delivering more circular solutions. The durability of our products will be enhanced with an increased focus on services and maintenance in a more sustainable manner.

Circular solutions require effective service and maintenance programs. Durability and quality have always been a key priority for Laerdal, and we already have a good infrastructure in place through our deployed field engineers and our well-estab-lished Service Centers available for all markets. In addition, we have digital maintenance and services for connected solutions. We are continuously optimizing the durability of our solutions through providing easily accessible upgrade services.

We will continue to optimize our service and repair options, and we will have an increased focus on the assembly/disassembly opportunities that will further enhance our durability approach. Our digital services are also expanding and improving as we deploy new platforms and knowledge through the acquisition of B-Line Medical, the leading provider of video debriefing and simulation center management solutions (see later).

We are minimizing our internal waste by focusing on efficient manufacturing and by recycling our scrap and waste. We are also reducing waste linked to our products by delivering solutions that are circular, shared and dematerialized through digital platforms and are increasingly using materials that are widely recyclable and encouraging our users to recycle at the end of the product lifecycle.

We are also developing take-back schemes and increasing our assembly-disassembly options. The increased focus on services, repair and durability will also help us reduce our waste.

Sustainability in our solutions are first and foremost promoted by durability and productive use. Our focus is to first reduce, then reuse and lastly recycle when the product no longer serves a purpose. For us, recycling is especially important with our single-use products or products with a short lifespan. We are determined to expand use of recycled and recyclable material in these products and in our long-life products when technology evolves and does not affect the durability of the solution. We will recycle scrap and post-consumer material internally or by using local partners. We are currently investigating collection systems that can close this loop in our supply chain.

Cloud-based solutions from B-Line Medical

In 2019 we acquired B-Line Medical – the leading provider of video debriefing and simulation center management solutions – as a part of our strategic effort to enhance our portfolios through the use of enabling technologies. SimCapture, a key part of B-Line’s portfolio is fully cloud-based and allows us to more rapidly develop and remotely implement new features and trou-ble-shoot and support customers without having to physically be onsite – and thus reducing the need to travel significantly while at the same time increasing our responsiveness. Over time, the cloud-based solution will also require less hardware reducing the use of materials and electronics.