Taking responsibility globally

Our commitment to sustainability finds its particular expression in the positive social impact of our products and the values-led management of the company by the owner family. Responsible behaviour and economic success have gone hand in hand in our company for more than 100 years. We are driven by the constant desire to create a better quality of life for people with disabilities in harmony with the environment and society. However, this requires sustainability to be strategically anchored in our company and integrated into our management processes. Sustainability has always played an important role at Ottobock.

Strategy and goals as the basis for action

An important cornerstone of Ottobock's sustainability strategy is the precise and repeated examination of which material topics should be placed at the centre of corporate responsibility. We regularly review the relevance of the topics in a materiality analysis. This is important in order to determine progress or to recognise at an early stage where further measures need to be taken.

Along the three dimensions of environment, social and governance (ESG), we have set ourselves targets in each area of action that we want to achieve in the short and medium term. Initiatives with corresponding measures have been defined for implementation and indicators have been established to measure target achievement. At Ottobock, the entire management team is responsible for sustainability.

To the strategy

Sustainability 2024 - Strategy and goals as the basis for action (CRP)

Sustainability is a process

We are proud to have been among the finalists for the German Sustainability Award in 2023. In the nomination round, 100 expert juries selected pioneers of sustainability in the German economy. Ottobock won over nine other companies in the medical technology sector and made it to the final.

Our private Sustainalytics ESG rating reflects that we are in the best possible position to strengthen sustainable growth and our positive impact on society. In 2021, we occupied a leading position among 228 rated MedTech companies in Europe.

Results of our private Sustainalytics ESG rating (pdf)

Sustainability 2024 - Sustainability is a process (CRP)

Efficient sustainability management

As a signatory to the UN Global Compact, Ottobock is committed to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations. We want to make our contribution to the success of the initiative and have integrated the SDGs into our sustainability strategy and assigned them to the areas of action with which we can maximise our impact in achieving the goals.

SDGs at Ottobock

Good health and well-being

People’s well-being is closely linked to their physical and mental health. We have been helping people with limited mobility maintain or regain their freedom of movement for more than 100 years. Studies prove that we can sustainably improve the quality of life for amputees and people with neurological diseases by providing prosthetic and orthotic treatment.

Graphic showing sustainability goal 3 (health and well-being)

Partnerships for the goals

Measures to improve sustainability can be implemented more purposefully when companies combine their competencies and resources with other actors in science, civil society and government. We work with international and national multi-sectoral partners to highlight the social, economic and health benefits that come with the provision of high-quality devices and improve access to these devices.

Good health and well-being

People’s well-being is closely linked to their physical and mental health. We have been helping people with limited mobility maintain or regain their freedom of movement for more than 100 years. Studies prove that we can sustainably improve the quality of life for amputees and people with neurological diseases by providing prosthetic and orthotic treatment.

Decent work and economic growth

As a global technology leader, we strive to grow sustainably and profitably and to achieve a positive impact on society. With innovative products in all business areas and investments in digitalisation, we create the conditions for secure jobs and good working conditions worldwide.

Industry, innovation and infrastructure

A viable economy is closely linked to sustainable industry, innovation and infrastructure. We make our greatest contribution by expanding the functions of our prostheses, orthoses and wheelchairs, increasing the robustness of our products and finding solutions for orthopaedic technology challenges that have yet to be solved. In doing so, we improve the personal mobility and well-being of our users.

Graphic showing the sustainability goal 9 (industry, innovation, infrastructure)

Reduced inequalities

Social, economic and political inclusion must be promoted in order to reduce inequalities. By designing our solutions to overcome or alleviate mobility restrictions, we help people with disabilities to participate more fully in economic and social life. High-quality prosthetic and orthotic treatments allow affected individuals to hold a job and lead an active family life.

Responsible consumption and production

Sustainable patterns of consumption and production are of great importance in light of the world’s growing population and demographic trends. The sustainable use of natural resources is crucial for us, taking into account environmental and economic aspects. We are making our production processes sustainable and optimising our material efficiency in production and logistics, among other things by using more alternatives that reduce strain on the environment and resources.

Climate action

All companies and organisations are tasked with taking immediate steps to combat climate change and reduce the impacts of their own activities. Because we are a company that makes products, we bear special responsibility for protecting the climate. Establishing an environmental and energy management system is helping us make our carbon footprint more transparent and implement targeted measures.

Partnerships for the goals

Measures to improve sustainability can be implemented more purposefully when companies combine their competencies and resources with other actors in science, civil society and government. We work with international and national multi-sectoral partners to highlight the social, economic and health benefits that come with the provision of high-quality devices and improve access to these devices.

Good health and well-being

People’s well-being is closely linked to their physical and mental health. We have been helping people with limited mobility maintain or regain their freedom of movement for more than 100 years. Studies prove that we can sustainably improve the quality of life for amputees and people with neurological diseases by providing prosthetic and orthotic treatment.

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Your contact for more information on sustainability

Head of Global Sustainability / Human Rights Officer

Christin Franzel

Christin.Franzel@ottobock.com

Send a message

Senior Managerin Global Sustainability

Maren Harloff

Maren.Harloff@ottobock.com

Send a message

Additional topics

Transparency

Reports

Since 2016, we have published an annual sustainability report based on the principles of the UN Global Compact. The 2021 and 2022 reports were prepared in accordance with the "Core" option of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards. Since 2022, we have published a Highlight Report with stories and information on our sustainability activities and a Non-Financial Statement with all the facts and figures on our sustainability performance.

Learn more

Strategy

Making sustainability visible

We have strategically anchored sustainability in the company and integrated it into our management processes. In recent years, we have developed the sustainability strategy and created workable structures.

Learn more