Biotest on track to achieve climate neutrality

Last year the company reduced its electricity requirements by 40%

Aware of its energy-intensive production and the resulting impact on the environment, plasma proteins and biological drugs provider Biotest has and is continuing to make significant changes at its Dreieich (Germany) site to combat climate change through CO2-neutral production.

For years, the company has been running a certified energy management system to systematically collect data, present it and tap potential for optimisation in an effot to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

Similarly, Biotest has been operating highly efficient combined heat and power plants, meaning that in addition to generating electricity for its own needs, the waste heat is also used to air-condition buildings throughout the year.

Last year, Biotest replaced an air conditioning system, which reduced their electricity requirements by 40%. The annual electricity savings from this one project equate to the electricity consumption of approximately 50 households.

Additional targeted measures the company has undertaken include replacing light bulbs, installing electric charging stations for cars, optimising the running time of technical equipment and using natural refrigerants for its cold storage facilities.

The company is currently planning to install photovoltaic systems, which convert light into electric power, on its premises.

To make the remaining energy consumption climate-neutral despite all the measures listed, Biotest obtains its electricity (approximately 30 million kWh) from renewable sources.

Any remaining greenhouse gas emissions generated at the site are offset by voluntary investments in non-profit climate protection projects, such as promoting access to clean energy for communities in rural Vietnam by building biogas plants.

The company says it is also supporting the local campaign to convert monostructural forest areas into climate-stable mixed forests in the Dreieich municipal forest.