rial use. However, energy costs for sterilisa- ment system for the integration of green has schemes in place to involve staff in reduc-
tion and cleaning were substantial for the chemistry principles into the R&D timeline. ing energy use for example, running a bus
stainless steel reactor and minimal or zero for This has resulted in a reduction in the use of service, facilities for cyclists, a car-share data-
the disposable system. solvents as well as process improvements. base and fuel-efficient company cars. Lonza
Overall, the stainless steel system consumed Another focus within the industry is to conducts employee surveys and offers incen-
almost twice as much energy as the disposable achieve an optimal path for drug development. tives to generate energy and water saving
reactor. This technology raises another envi- The US Food and Drug Administration ideas. Increasing awareness of environmental
ronmental issue concerning the disposal of launched the Critical Path Initiative in 2004, issues can also be achieved by holding events,
waste plastics. Hazardous material will need identifying 76 areas in the fields of bioinfor- such as the Carbon Trust Roadshow, which
to be incinerated and one possibility is to matics, genomics and imaging, where new dis- can motivate employees to become involved in
recover heat energy during incineration of dis- coveries were needed to improve the accuracy energy saving measures. At Lonza, a 5% sav-
posable reactor bags if facilities are available. and the efficacy of tests for potential drugs. ing in energy consumption has been achieved
Many non-hazardous waste plastics can be Since then many public-private partnerships as a result of suggestions made by employees.
recycled. Lonza increased recycling of non- have been established to allow pharmaceutical A study by Innovest Strategic Value
hazardous plastic waste from 36% in 2007 to companies to develop and share research on Advisors, a New York-based financial services
50% by April 2008. Next on the firm’s agenda safety testing methods. Increased automation company, found a positive correlation
for improving environmental performance are of drug development methods and use of between the environmental and stock market
reviews of raw materials and transport. microreactors combined with statistical analy- performance of the top 23 pharmaceutical
The use of green chemistry and engineering sis can shorten the path from lead discovery to companies suggesting that environmental
are seen as the way to reduce the use of haz- development. This minimises the use of improvement programmes are good for busi-
ardous chemicals and materials in the manu- resources and the generation of waste. ness. We can all do our bit to help reduce car-
facture of pharmaceuticals. Replacing solvents Microreactor technology allows multiple reac- bon emissions and by involving the whole
with aqueous systems and using biocatalysts tion conditions to be evaluated in a day reduc- company in energy and water saving projects
can improve environmental impact by reduc- ing time and quantities of chemical required. the results will speak for themselves.
ing hazardous waste. Pfizer won the 2009 Schemes to encourage employees to gener-
Business Commitment to the Environment ate innovative ideas for reducing waste, and Melanie Brown and Lesley Chaplin are
Management Premier Award for its Green consumption of energy and water can moti- members of Acumentia LLP, a partnership of
Chemistry Programme directed from its R&D vate them to become more aware of environ- consultants specialising in the pharmaceutical
facility in Kent. It has established a manage- mental issues and performance. Pfizer in Kent and food sectors > www.acumentia.com
Sustainable Business ❘ February 2010 29
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