Since 1987, Signal Iduna has awarded the Signal Iduna Environment and Health Award together with the Chamber of Crafts Hamburg. The award honors individuals as well as smaller companies and institutions nationwide for innovative solutions in environmental, occupational, and health protection. The award, most recently given every two years, comes with a cash prize of 5,000 euros.
Among this year’s winners is also the Munich startup Puray in the “Health” category. Founded in 2018, the medtech company develops a medical catheter that is continuously disinfected with UV-C light during treatment. This better protects patients from wound infections. In addition, the technology works against multidrug-resistant pathogens. Puray’s two co-founders, Martin Duffner and Eduardo Romero Borrero, accepted the award.
Martin Duffner comments on the honor:
“This recognition fills us with pride and gratitude, and the moment of the award ceremony will remain a wonderful memory for us. We greatly appreciate the magnificent support and are convinced that this award will help us greatly in the future.”
Puray achieved “a breakthrough development”
Ulrich Leitermann, CEO of the Signal Iduna Group and laudator of the award ceremony, honored the startup:
“You have achieved a breakthrough development. With a small, innovative device, you offer patients with permanent catheters protection against infections, and entirely without the use of antibiotics. Your catheter represents a revolutionary solution—it not only solves a major problem for affected patients, but also relieves the healthcare system by avoiding costs for complications.”
Other award winners are the company Oldus in the “Environment” category, the Saar-Lor-Lux Environmental Center in the “Business Transformation” category, and the Mannheim Climate Protection Agency in the “Consumer Transformation” category.
