Mekoprint sees great potential in future healthcare

Ultra-thin sensors and electrodes are increasingly being incorporated into innovative products in the healthcare sector.

The global market for healthcare sensors was estimated to exceed DKK 300 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow by 19% annually until 2030. This growth has positively impacted the Danish industrial company Mekoprint, a leader in sensors and electrodes that can bend and stretch without damage. For example, Mekoprint recently produced 1.5 million electrodes for a client who developed an application that accelerates wound healing.

The number of elderly people is rising significantly, and it is difficult to recruit enough employees for the healthcare sector. This increases the demand for welfare technology, fueling the development of intelligent products worn directly on the body within healthcare.

Mekoprint is increasingly contributing to solutions that make life easier for patients worldwide. Mekoprint develops and produces custom components for electronics and industrial companies, with a portfolio of no fewer than 40 production technologies.

The medical and life sciences sectors have become interesting areas for Mekoprint, due to their extensive experience in printed electronics, allowing them to manufacture sensors and electrodes for healthcare products.

“We are experiencing a high demand for sensors in the healthcare sector because we can produce ultra-thin sensors and electrodes that can stretch and withstand various stresses without damage. Stretchable sensors and electrodes are increasingly being embedded in flexible materials and are a crucial part of future healthcare,”

Sales Director, HMI & Printed Electronics

Morten Kjær

1.5 million sensors for a UK customer

Mekoprint's sales to the healthcare segment have risen significantly in recent years. For instance, the company has just surpassed producing 1.5 million electrodes for an application for the British company Firstkind. The electrode is part of a small, portable device placed on patients' legs to accelerate wound healing.

“We have had a very exciting collaboration with Firstkind for several years because we have an efficient, automated production setup, allowing us to control the entire process and meet the high-quality demands from Firstkind,” says Morten Kjær.

More about our collaboration with Firstkind

"Few companies have the capacity to quickly produce the large quantities we need. Quality must be of a high standard, as our product is used by people who needs help," says Mark Whalley, Head of Manufacturing and Logistics at Firstkind.

Firstkind collaborates with Mekoprint because of its ability to produce many electrodes with high and consistent quality and a high degree of automation.Alongside electrode production, Mekoprint has also been a development partner for Firstkind on the next generation of products, which is a cornerstone of Mekoprint's strategy: to develop products in collaboration with customers.

Sensor in diaper improves care

Mekoprint is already collaborating with several companies on groundbreaking sensor applications that are on its way to market. For example, Mekoprint has developed a production technology that enables mass production of a sensor integrated into the world’s first digital incontinence product by the company ABENA. Mekoprint also produces a sensor that detects when the diaper is wet.

A message is then sent to the care staff’s smartphone or tablet, and the patient quickly receives help. Mekoprint and ABENA work together to find optimal solutions and stay ahead of competitors.

More about our collaboration with ABENA

“It’s incredibly important that the product works every time because it’s about providing better care for the patients. The sensors must not crack or break, so the quality level must be exceptionally high. That’s one of the reasons we have worked with Mekoprint for several years, as they make the necessary investments in production equipment when required. We greatly benefit from Mekoprint's development competencies and collaborate to continuously improve the product”

Director and owner of ABENA

Arne Terp-Nielsen

Morten Kjær expects further progress in the healthcare sector in the coming years, and states:

“ABENA’s sensor for the intelligent diaper is a good example of the development we’re seeing in healthcare. There is significant potential in sensors for products that can improve healthcare.”

Morten Kjær

Sales Director, HMI & Printed Electronics

+45 2559 0808

mkj@mekoprint.com

Mekoprint sees great potential in future healthcare

1.5 million sensors for a UK customer

"Few companies have the capacity to quickly produce the large quantities we need. Quality must be of a high standard, as our product is used by people who needs help," says Mark Whalley, Head of Manufacturing and Logistics at Firstkind.

Sensor in diaper improves care

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