Circular business models in the medical device industry: paths towards sustainable healthcare

The medical device industry leads to high environmental footprint while holding fundamental social function. The panorama is composed of devices with rather specific lifecycles and impacts: imaging equipment that eventually become electronic waste, sophisticated invasive devices that require sterilisation before reprocessing, and potentially infected single-use devices that hinder recycling possibilities. It is, thus, challenging for practitioners to identify opportunities for circular business model (CBM) innovation to the many types of devices. Therefore, this research aims to detail the application of CBMs in the medical device industry so that they can be used as benchmarks. Systematic literature review and content analysis of cases and research articles grounds the types of business models. Cross-tabulation and network analysis ground the triangulation between cases and literature for discussion. Nine industryspecific CBMs were identified and positioned according to product value and criticality. An adapted version of the business model canvas describing each CBM sustains dissemination and discussion. While identified CBMs activate the known technical cycles, there is potential to combine different types of circular solutions and enhance triple bottom line benefits. The good practices presented in this research are relevant for the medical devices industry, and other industries as the CBMs are designed to meet different spectra of product value and needs for hygiene.