Sustained
human-centered approach

Creating opportunities through projects that benefit the environment and society.
Ecologically, economically, and socially.

Our responsibility

1547 kg

carbon dioxide

saved annually in cooperation with our partner “Der Grüne Punkt”.(1)

1.000 +

trees

were planted as part of our imPLANT-A-TREE initiative. (2)


When developing our ideas, we are guided by likely the most brilliant innovator of all: nature. Preserving it and aligning our entrepreneurial activities with it at all times is therefore a matter of course. But to us, sustainability means even more. Besides environmental and climate protection, social and economic responsibility also play a critical role. We are fully aware of our responsibility – not only to our customers, but also to our employees, our region, and our industry.

Sustainability is not a sales strategy.
Sustainability is our foundation for the future.

Responsibility

As an independent German commercial enterprise, partner of the health care sector and employer, we have the responsibility to make and act on carefully thought-out decisions. Instead of focusing exclusively on financial interests, we aim to achieve maximum added value for society, future generations, our employees, and nature. In addition, we have supported aid programs in Africa for many years in order to improve ophthalmological care there.

Climate protection

Through energy self-sufficiency using ice storage and photovoltaics system at our site in Mannheim as well as measures such as carbon-neutral shipping or our imPLANT-A-TREE initiative, we are reducing our ecological footprint to a minimum. Auch in der Herstellung unserer Intraokularlinsen setzen wir verstärkt auf erneuerbare Energien: Seit 2025 unterstützen 1.200 Photovoltaikmodule mit einer Gesamtleistung von rund 420 kWp die Stromversorgung unserer IOL-Produktion. Eine Erweiterung der Anlage um weitere Module ist bereits geplant. Wie bei unseren Produkten verfolgen wir auch beim Thema Klimaschutz einen langfristigen Ansatz. During the development of solutions such as the AddOn sulcus lens or our single-use instruments, we had sustainability in mind from the outset.

Resources

For us, less is often more. Since a respectful use of resources is anchored in our mission statement, we reduce our material and energy consumption in internal processes, design our transport and shipping processes to be as environmentally friendly as possible and set standards in resource-efficient production and the avoidance of carbon dioxide with our award-winning single-use instruments. We are continually making progress towards our vision of a completely closed recycling loop for ophthalmological instruments. Additionally, our AddOn IOLs can compensate for the stocking of up to 3,000 capsular bag IOLs in consignment inventory, thus eliminating complex standby procedures or individual deliveries of IOLs.

What we do precisely

Instruments that set an example

Our single-use instruments combine maximum precision and functionality in a disposable product. Above all, however, they set an example that single-use and sustainability no longer have to be conflicting concepts.

Find out more about our SUIs
Climate-neutral shipping
Climate-neutral shipping

Transport and shipping are among the most carbon-intensive aspects of our products. We offset the emissions generated by shipping by planting trees. Through our shipping provider UPS, 7.83 tonnes of CO₂ were offset between January and December 2025.

Icon Fabrikgebäude mit Sonne, die auf Solarpaneele scheint
Innovative building
Innovative building

1stQ’s headquarters and logistics centre are located in Eastsite Elysium – an innovative building that uses an ice storage system and photovoltaic installations to harness energy from renewable sources.

Digital workflows in the office
Digital workflows in the office

By using digital document management systems and digital workflows, we consistently reduce paper use across our company.

Solar power IOL production
Solar power IOL production

Since 2025, 1,200 photovoltaic modules with a total output of around 420 kWp have been supporting the power supply for our IOL production.

Icon eines Blatt Papiers mit einem klickenden Mauszeiger darauf
Digital Marketing Materials
Digital Marketing Materials

Through digital brochures, QR codes and videos, we make content accessible at any time and help reduce paper use.

Icondarstellung eines Atoms mit den
Research
Research

We rethink materials, explore new approaches and test applications, such as bio-based plastics derived from sugar cane and castor oil for our instrument handles.

Planting trees together

Together with PLANT-MY-TREE®, we launched the imPLANT-A-TREE initiative. Here partners become sponsors: As a tree sponsor, you actively contribute to reforestation in German and emissions offsetting.

Participate now
Plant a tree yourself

Read more in our magazine

References

(1) Der Grüne Punkt environmental certificate. In 2025, we contributed to the following savings: 1,547 kg of CO₂ equivalents, 8 kg of phosphate equivalents, 76 GJ of primary energy and 10 kg of sulphur oxide equivalents.
(2) A total of 1,000 trees were planted by 1stQ in partnership with PLANT-MY-TREE® in Hohenaspe in 2020 and Forchtenberg in 2021.