Inside Europe’s Gradual Turn to Greener Sterilization

Europe’s healthcare sector is cautiously rethinking sterilization, as sustainability and regulation begin to influence technology choices

5 Feb 2026

Change rarely arrives with a bang in healthcare. More often, it seeps in quietly. That is exactly how sustainability is beginning to reshape Europe’s sterilization market.

Across the region, hospitals and suppliers are reassessing long established practices, not because of sudden mandates, but due to a mix of evolving regulation, environmental awareness, and steady technological progress. The result is not disruption, but a clear shift in direction.

Much of the conversation centers on reducing dependence on traditional chemical sterilants, particularly ethylene oxide. Updated guidance under the EU Medical Device Regulation and In Vitro Diagnostic Regulation has sharpened expectations around compliance. At the same time, environmental and worker safety concerns have prompted closer scrutiny in several member states. The pace varies by country, but the trajectory is increasingly hard to ignore.

Low temperature sterilization technologies are emerging as credible alternatives. Hydrogen peroxide systems are already widely used for heat sensitive devices and are often seen as cleaner options, thanks to lower residue levels and simpler ventilation needs. Other methods, including light based and hybrid processes, are still developing but point to a broader effort to expand the toolkit.

For healthcare providers, sustainability is rarely the deciding factor on its own. Practical considerations such as cycle speed, device compatibility, and workflow efficiency still dominate procurement decisions. What has changed is that environmental impact now features earlier in discussions, rather than appearing as a late stage footnote.

Suppliers are adapting cautiously. STERIS emphasizes energy efficiency and sustainability targets across its European operations. Sotera Health continues to explore alternative sterilization services while helping device makers navigate complex regulatory paths. Getinge is investing in digital monitoring tools that allow hospitals to track performance, resource use, and process reliability more closely.

Industry observers describe these moves as a long term realignment. New technologies require validation, staff training, and confidence, and many providers remain wary of abandoning familiar systems.

Even so, the momentum is real. As cost, compliance, and reliability converge with environmental expectations, cleaner sterilization is no longer a fringe idea. It is becoming part of Europe’s healthcare mainstream.