“ Somnics — Promoting Carbon Reduction through Recycle and Refurbishment toward Circular Economy Business Model”
“Somnics” is a manufacturer of sleep respiratory medical equipment, holding multiple international patents for negative pressure sleep apnea treatment devices. The company is dedicated to the research, design, and manufacturing of the iNAP One Magnesium negative pressure sleep respiratory treatment. It boasts a comprehensive medical equipment quality management system, core knowledge, and experience.
Additionally, it offers customized development and manufacturing of in vitro diagnostic (IVD) equipment, such as COVID-19 diagnostic devices. Since 2011, Somnics has actively engaged in the development of “Negative Pressure Sleep Apnea Treatment Devices,” aiming to improve the health and quality of life for patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The developed “iNAP One Magnesium Sleep Respiratory Treatment Device” features negative pressure technology and a range of accessories. After obtaining FDA approval in 2020, the product was launched. In 2022, it received the “International Leap Award” with distinction at the Taipei Biotechnology Awards.
Despite the excellence of the “iNAP One Magnesium Sleep Respiratory Treatment Device,” the product’s utilization might be curtailed due to patients opting for subsequent medical procedures or reduced demand due to symptom alleviation. These factors could lead to the discontinuation or disposal of the “Respiratory Treatment Device,” resulting in resource waste. To address equipment replacement in the US market and Taiwan, Somnics, along with its collaborative partners, has established a demonstration business model in Taiwan for collecting, refurbishing, and certifying refurbished devices for return to the US market, sale, or rental in Taiwan. They have also developed accessory cleaning equipment and promoted the inspection of the refurbished devices’ carbon footprint. These initiatives aim to create value, reduce accessory waste, and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
After receiving guidance from the Ministry of Economic Affairs’ SME program in 2020, Somnics successfully set up a refurbishment production line and operational model for refurbished devices, along with accessory cleaning equipment. The resultant benefits include obtaining a third-party (TUV) verified carbon footprint report for the main product “iNAP Refurbished Device” and an internal assessment indicating a reduction in accessory usage (New material resources) and a decrease of 1.49 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year.
This approach prevents the direct transformation of unused devices into medical waste. Instead, through the refurbishment business model and accessory cleaning equipment, accessory consumption and the disposal of sleep respiratory treatment devices are reduced, establishing a new cycle and maximizing resource utilization benefits.
By promoting the operation of refurbished devices, accessory cleaning equipment, and leasing models, Somnics can collaborate with healthcare facilities to enhance patient services and improve the quality of the company’s medical monitoring services. This case represents a high-quality example of achieving tangible carbon reduction benefits through a transformative circular business model and adjustments to product processes.
WEBSITE：https://www.somnics.com/zh
