Pharma supply chain companies form alliance to accelerate sustainability

Alliance to Zero aims to facilitate the transition of the pharma sector to reach net zero emissions target

Eight pharma and biotech supply chain companies have founded the Alliance to Zero, a non-profit membership organisation with the aim of facilitating the transition of the pharma sector to achieve net zero emissions in line with the Paris Climate Agreement.

The founders of the non-profit membership association represent key parts of the pharma supply, including component suppliers, machine suppliers and assembly/manufacturing service providers, as well as those involved in primary and secondary packaging to final device assembly and even collection after use.

In a statement, the Alliance to Zero said there is an urgent need to collaborate across the medical products supply chain.

"While there is much discussion in the pharma community today about sustainability and climate impact, substantial change among supply chain partners and manufacturers is not happening fast enough to reduce the emissions footprint," it said.

In addition, the Allaince to Zero said its founding companies recognise that proactive collaboration across traditional company boundaries is the way to develop solutions that will have broad acceptance and a positive impact on the pharmaceutical industry.

The Alliance to Zero intends to involve, connect and coordinate suppliers, pharmaceutical companies, manufacturers and service providers along the supply chain and engage with academia and non-profit organisations with similar aims.

Sebastian Gerner, president of the Alliance to Zero, called this formation the "first step" in a "challenging but urgent journey".

"Enabling the launch of net zero pharmaceutical products in regulated markets will require companies like ours to transform our operations, products, services, logistics, innovations and investments,” said Gerner.

Already, the alliance has started work on developing a roadmap detailing what a net zero emission concept for pharmaceutical manufacturing and supply chain would look like and the steps necessary to achieve it.

This foundational work also includes agreement on harmonized language and principles for the assessment and control of the total emission footprint for the final pharmaceutical products, as well as the company-specific responsibilities.

The founding members are Datwyler, Harro Hoflinger, HealthBeacon, Körber Pharma, SCHOTT, Schreiner MediPharm, Sharp, and Ypsomed Holding.