ALMOST THREE DOZENS OF PORTUGUESE COMPANIES PARTICIPATE IN MEDICA

Participating for the first time in the German event as an exhibitor – despite having been a regular visitor in previous editions –, for this edition Wellgiven steps forwards with its “innovative and ecologically sustainable products, with recyclable raw material, economically revolutionary by eliminating the environmental aggression caused by hospital waste”, states António Ferreira.

Among the novelties to be presented by the Portuguese company is a reusable hospital gown made from recycled raw material, and certified for 75 washes. “This gown has an RFID tag incorporated, allowing not only to trace the product, but also an efficient and controlled stock management. At the end of its life cycle, it is reintegrated into a new production process, becoming a new raw material”, explains António Ferreira.

After a first virtual experience at the last online edition of Medica, Pharmia now says “I do” to an in-person participation. “Although the previous edition was virtual, the feedback was very positive in terms of customer interest, and was also good for identifying possible partnerships with other exhibitors”, says Pedro Santos, CEO of the company that manufactures medical devices and personal protective equipment. “We are going to present our new ranges of nitrile gloves, swabs and gauze, cotton and cotton swabs, liquid disinfectant and wipes, in addition to a range of surgical masks and FFP2 respirators”, adds the CEO of Pharmia.

Line For You followed an identical path: after a virtual first participation in Medica, in 2020, the company has good prospects for this year's physical edition. “We hope to meet players in the European market who know the area, and are able to help us export our products”, says Pedro Morgado, co-founder of the company that at the trade show will present medical uniforms for health professionals, in addition to Type IIR surgical masks.

Participating in Medica since 2016, always with an extremely positive feedback, Oasipor, represented by José Mauro, from the design and communication department, expects a “lower turnout, but, on the other hand, we are counting with greater interest and availability from those who in fact come”. With some meetings already scheduled, Oasipor will take to Dusseldorf nitrile gloves (without powder), and customizable surgical packs (the s-Pod).

With experience from previous editions, Raclac considers that this edition of Medica will be a “success”. Tânia Cunha, from the marketing & communication department, supports that theory by explaining that “the experience we had in the last in-person edition, held in 2019, was very good, due to the quality and differentiation of our products. And also because this is the first major trade show in this sector to be held in person in Europe after the pandemic restrictions (...) The signs we have been receiving are encouraging”, she explains. It is precisely for this reason that the company hopes to do new business with markets as diverse as Europe, the United States of America and Japan, where the commercial department has already been working hard.

Taking its first steps at the German fair dedicated to medical and hospital articles is the company Beppi. “Our participation in Medica is linked to the fact that during the pandemic, we have perfected a model of hospital clogs that we want to present to the sector’s professionals”, explains Hugo Silva, commercial director of the company that specializes in footwear. Open to customers from "any country and any continent", Beppi is also "aware that this return to normal we still face a few months of uncertainty, but we want to believe that good results will appear in the second half of 2022", concludes the director commercial.

Another debut at Medica is António Manuel de Sousa, who, in 2020, created a new product: the Hat Doc. “It was during the pandemic that we created this new brand of medical caps from reusing fabrics in stock”, explains Ana Sousa. As this is the first participation, the company does not have many scheduled meetings yet, and is interested in creating contacts with clients from various markets.

Also participating for the first time in Medica is Inarbel, which will take a new line of products for the healthcare sector to Dusseldorf, such as a line of disposable hospital clothing. “We are going to present our line of hospital clothing: gowns, sleeves, boot covers, caps and uniforms”, reveals Manuela Sena.

The participation of Portuguese SME companies in Médica is framed by the From Portugal project, an initiative of Selectiva Moda and ATP - Textile and Clothing Association of Portugal, which aims to promote the internationalization of Portuguese companies in the fashion area. The “From Portugal” project is co-financed by Portugal 2020, within the scope of Compete 2020 - Operational Program for Competitiveness and Internationalization, with an eligible support amount of € 11,042,311.82, of which € 6,065,501.91 comes from the European Union, through the European Regional Development Fund.