Karin Ferenbach

In sterile medical packaging, reliability is fundamental but often invisible. Every validated seal, every documented material batch, every sterile barrier system reflects decisions made long before a device reaches the operating room. Regulatory requirements are uncompromising. Sustainability expectations are increasing. At the same time, development timelines continue to compress.

We sat down with Marina Hochstraßer, a Packaging Engineer at our Rosenheim site in Germany, to talk about the evolution of sterile packaging, the growing importance of recyclability, and what makes packaging engineering both technically demanding and deeply collaborative.

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Marina, can you tell us a little about yourself and your role at Elos Medtech?

I work as a Packaging Engineer at Elos Medtech in Rosenheim and have been part of the company for over four years. My role involves developing customized packaging solutions together with our customers, ensuring that every project meets strict regulatory and quality requirements.

What excites me most is the variety. Every day brings new challenges, and I collaborate closely with our production team, suppliers, and customers to deliver reliable and compliant solutions.

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How has sterile packaging evolved over the last 10 years, and what changes do you see in the future?

Over the past decade, sterile packaging has become increasingly sophisticated. We see more automation in production and the integration of technologies such as RFID chips to improve traceability.

Looking ahead, sustainability will play a major role, driven by regulations such as the new PPWR directive. Recyclability will become a key factor in packaging design, influencing material choices and system structures.

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What sets Elos Medtech apart when it comes to delivering solutions in sterile packaging?

We combine agility with expertise to deliver customized sterile packaging solutions quickly and efficiently. We respond flexibly to individual customer requirements and ensure short lead times without compromising on quality.

Additionally, our pre-validated packaging system gives customers a significant advantage by accelerating time-to-market and reducing validation efforts.

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Elos Medtech is an ever-expanding company. How do the different specialties within the group benefit your customers?

One of the biggest advantages for our customers is our full-service approach. From product development and manufacturing to sterile packaging, sterilization, and logistics, everything can be managed within the Elos Medtech group.

By combining knowledge from different specialties, we ensure seamless processes, faster time-to-market, and innovative solutions that meet complex requirements.

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With the growing demand for sustainable medical products, how does Elos Medtech navigate the challenge of ensuring both material traceability and environmental responsibility in packaging solutions?

Balancing sustainability with strict regulatory requirements and full traceability is a challenge we take seriously.

At Elos Medtech, we already use packaging that incorporates recycled post-industrial waste in the middle layer while maintaining compliance and performance standards. Another important principle is “Design for Recycling,” which means focusing on mono-material structures to replace multi-material combinations wherever possible.

We work closely with our suppliers and continuously prepare for these developments to ensure responsible and compliant polymer solutions.

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On a more personal note, is there something people may not know about you?

I love spending time in the mountains — whether hiking, climbing, alpine tours, or snowboarding. Being outdoors gives me energy and inspiration, and I enjoy the challenge and freedom that come with these activities.

In medical technology, progress rarely depends on a single breakthrough. It depends on whether complex systems can hold together under pressure. Quality requirements, regulatory expectations, shifting demand, and real-world operational constraints all test the strength of an organisation’s foundations.

This is where Supply Chain becomes decisive.

In January 2026, Pascal Bischoff joined Elos Medtech as Supply Chain Manager at our Pforzheim site in Germany, bringing more than a decade of experience from the automotive and electronics industries into a highly regulated MedTech environment.

With a background in Industrial Engineering and Business Management, Pascal has spent 11 years working across stamping and injection molding technologies. His career includes project management for complex assemblies, leadership roles in Purchasing and Customer Service, and responsibility for end-to-end supply chain operations spanning planning, logistics, and supplier management.

Pascal’s mandate is clear: Supply Chain Management (SCM) is being strengthened as a system, with planning positioned deliberately as the operational hub. SCM plays a central role in the Sales and Operations Planning process, aligning demand, capacity, and execution across functions. In parallel, Pascal is developing a more strategic approach to purchasing, focused on resilience, transparency, and long-term collaboration with suppliers.

What stands out in his first months is the balance he is working to establish.

Structure is essential. Clear processes, defined interfaces, and shared rules create stability. At the same time, agility remains critical. Market disruptions, changing priorities, and operational complexity require teams to adapt quickly without losing control. The challenge lies in designing systems that support both consistency and responsiveness.

Collaboration sits at the centre of this approach. Supply Chain touches every function, and effective performance depends on open communication across departments and at management level. Identifying bottlenecks early, reducing uncertainty, and solving problems collectively are part of the daily work.

The move into medical technology brings a strong sense of purpose. Quality and precision are non-negotiable, and supply chain performance has a direct impact on patient outcomes. That responsibility raises expectations and reinforces the importance of continuous improvement.

Outside of work, balance comes from time with family and friends, as well as sport. Table tennis, padel, squash, good food, and travel provide a counterweight to demanding operational roles.

As our Pforzheim site deepens its integrate with the wider Elos Medtech Group, strong Supply Chain capabilities will play a key role. Pascal’s work is focused on building the foundations that allow complexity to scale in a reliable, predictable way, with the flexibility that MedTech demands.

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