In today’s world, where the threat of climate change looms large, the pursuit of sustainable practices in the pharmaceutical industry isn’t just a trend – it’s a necessity. Here at WuXi STA, we’re more than just participants; we’re pioneers. As a global leader in Contract Research, Development, and Manufacturing (CRDMO), we produce thousands of investigational and marketed innovative drugs for all synthetic modalities at all scales every year. We’re passionately investing in carbon footprint reduction, driving innovative breakthroughs, and leading the change toward a sustainable future in our industry. Our mission embodies more than business goals; it’s about contributing positively to the world, aligning our scientific advancements with a vision of health and sustainability for everyone.
Our Target by 2030 Compared to the 2020 Baseline
We concentrate our sustainability efforts in four key operational areas where we make a significant difference:
• Carbon Emissions: 25% intensity reduction
• Energy Consumption: 25% intensity reduction
• Water Resource Management: 30% intensity reduction
• Waste Management: Be landfill-free for all productive hazardous waste by 2030.
Carbon Emissions and Energy Efficiency
In 2022, we achieved a remarkable 36% reduction in carbon emissions year-on-year and reduced our overall energy consumption by 37% through strategic initiatives and sustainable practices across all sites globally.
Showcase of WuXi AppTec’s ESG Award Achievements
Our Couvet site in Switzerland operates entirely on renewable energy that leverages local weather conditions with solar panels and LED lights to enhance energy efficiency. Geothermal energy is harvested from the earth’s subsurface using a system of 266 heat exchange piles drilled deep underground. This innovation results in an impressive 70% lower CO2 emissions compared to similar-sized facilities in the pharmaceutical industry.
At our Wuxi City drug-product site in China, we have installed energy-saving heat pipes in the Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) fresh air treatment section. This ensures waste heat recycling, saving an estimated 42,000 kWh of electric energy annually. Similarly, our Changzhou API site utilises heat recycling devices for air compressors, saving an estimated 2,600 tons of steam annually. This is coupled with our VAR38 incinerator’s flue gas heat-exchange system, which reduces 98,000 tons of purchased steam.
