Speciality Chemicals Magazine JAN / FEB 2021 | Page 60

‣ evaluate their responsibility to mitigate the risk of such a climate disaster . This requires transparency . The aforementioned study by McMaster University found that , of the 200 companies that make up the lion ’ s share of the global pharmaceutical market , only 25 had consistently reported their greenhouse gas ( GHG ) emissions over the past five years . As companies become more open around sustainability – including their successes and setbacks – transparency will help to drive standards and set best practice . Tighter government monitoring and regulation is also important in ensuring sustainable industry practices . Ultimately , though , pharmaceutical companies must act individually to reduce their impact on the environment and communities . This is where innovation comes in . Centrient Pharmaceuticals has been able to report a significant fall in GHG emissions and environmental impact thanks to ongoing investments in ‘ green ’ enzymatic production technology . Since launching our first enzymatically produced API for antibiotics in 2003 , the PureActives product range has seen us minimise our use of oil-based raw materials and solvents , and reduce our carbon footprint by up to 65 % compared with traditional chemical processes . Furthermore , by reducing the consumption of fossil fuels in its manufacturing processes , the company expected to halve its carbon emissions compared with 2008 levels by the end of 2020 , putting it on track to become carbon-neutral within the next few decades .

Strength in numbers

By adopting transparent working practices and the sharing of insights and technology , pharmaceutical producers can work together to combat climate change at an industrywide level . Indeed , Centrient ’ s enzymatic production methods have now become the industry standard for sustainable antibiotics and statins around the world .

Similarly , preventing AMR will require companies to be vigilant about their own practices and those of others . As a major provider of beta-lactam antibiotics , Centrient aims to lead by example on this growing global health issue . In 2016 , we began the continuous , yearround cleaning and monitoring of antimicrobial activities in wastewater at our sites . We have also recently introduced a new , highly sensitive test for measuring antibiotic activity in our effluent . In 2019 , we reported that Centrient ’ s range of semi-synthetic penicillin ( SSP ) APIs met the predicted no-effect concentration ( PNEC ) discharge targets set by the AMR Industry Alliance , becoming one of the first in our industry to do so . 97 % of our SSP finished-dosage formulation products are also PNEC-compliant . Whilst individual target-setting is important , companies must work together to raise standards across the board . As a member of the AMR