Spain has become the fifth largest European exporter of healthcare technology. A few examples: less painful mammograms, custom-made x-ray rooms, patient monitoring devices, anesthesia machines, complete laboratories, even robots for laparoscopic surgery.

Data collected by the Spanish Federation of Healthcare Technology Companies (Fenin) show that more than 62% of Spanish healthcare technology firms sell their products outside of the country. In general these are small companies (SMEs) working on very advanced technological projects.

The key for the success of these Spanish products has much to do with the strong investment in R&D. Sedecal has been selling x-ray equipment in 120 countries around the world for a number of years now. It’s one of the most significant Spanish exporters of healthcare products (85% of its production). The company manufactures systems and rooms for x-rays, molecular image equipment, animal radiology and ozone therapy equipment. The firm carries out research in order to improve medical equipment, reduce its weight and increase its power.

And even though the most international Spanish products continue to be single-use articles (catheters, surgical material, etc.), other material related with in vitro diagnosis (sample studies) or electromedicine (equipment for x-rays, electrocardiography, Holters…) have begun to grow in importance.

Spanish companies also stand out in areas such as robotics, telemedicine and e-Health. RGB and Cardiplus are pioneers in monitoring patients in their own homes; Oncovision stands out in image diagnostics; Keramet is very active in regenerative medicine. Medical furnishings and orthopedics have become prominent along with them.

Sener is a leading company in robotic systems. It has designed a robotic assistant for laparoscopic surgery which frees the surgeon from holding and orienting the laparoscopic camera through the use of voice control.

The EU and US, which receive 75% of Spanish exports, are currently the main clients for these products.

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