🌍 Efforts include the use of renewable energy sources, smaller carbon and water footprints, and recycling.
🔬 Merck & Co. has a green and sustainable science team dedicated to reducing the carbon footprint of bioprocesses.
⚡ Energy utilization in biologics manufacturing is a key factor in sustainability, with a focus on process intensification.
🛢️ The industry is also exploring the use of single-use plastics to reduce waste, but this presents challenges for recycling.
💡 Collaboration between stakeholders is crucial to address the sustainability challenges in biomanufacturing.
Introduction:
The biomanufacturing industry is prioritizing environmental sustainability as it continues to produce life-saving therapies. Legacy facilities and large cleanrooms consume significant amounts of water, electricity, and natural gas, posing challenges for sustainability. However, the industry is making progress towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, with a focus on renewable energy sources and the development of products with smaller carbon and water footprints. One company, Merck & Co., has established a green and sustainable science team for biologics to design processes with a smaller carbon footprint and increased recycling of raw materials.
- The biomanufacturing industry is committed to environmental sustainability.
- The industry is working towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
- Newer therapeutic modalities are manufactured in smaller batches and rely on single-use consumables, which have different environmental impacts.
- Merck & Co. has a green and sustainable science team focused on designing bioprocesses with a smaller carbon footprint and increased recycling.
- Energy utilization, particularly in cleanroom operations, is a primary contributor to the carbon footprint of biologics manufacturing plants.
Conclusion:
The biomanufacturing industry is actively addressing the challenges of environmental sustainability by adopting renewable energy sources, developing products with smaller carbon and water footprints, and increasing recycling efforts. Companies like Merck & Co. are leading the way in designing bioprocesses with a smaller carbon footprint and exploring innovative solutions to improve sustainability. Collaboration between stakeholders is essential to address the limited availability of information and understanding in sustainability impact across the entire supply chain. Overall, the industry is determined to balance the production of life-saving therapies with the preservation of the environment.
