The Chugai Pharmaceutical Group considers global environmental protection to be an important foundation for all its business activities, and has set three themes at the core of its environmental protection initiatives: Climate change and energy countermeasures, contribution to circularity and water management, and conservation of biodiversity. With a focus on climate change and energy countermeasures, in this article we hear from Atsushi Suda of the Environment Group within the ESG Department about Chugai Pharmaceutical’s approach to environmental protection, the company’s specific measures, and the source of his passion for these activities.

Environmental Target for 2030: Promoting the Introduction of Sustainable Electricity

When asked why global environmental protection is important for Chugai Pharmaceutical, Suda says with a stern expression, “There is no point in producing medicine in a world in which people cannot live.”  In this way, supporting Chugai Pharmaceutical’s environmental initiatives is a strong belief that without global environmental protection, it cannot fulfil its duty as a pharmaceutical company.

 

In 2021, the company formulated a set of medium- to long-term environmental targets for 2030. In terms of climate change and energy countermeasures, by 2030 the company is aiming to reduce its CO₂ emissions by between 60% to 75% compared to 2020. Its long-term target is to achieve zero CO₂ emissions by 2050.

 

Suda explains, “With regards to how we aim to achieve zero emissions, we propose measures and hold discussions with business offices, research laboratories, and plants both in Japan and overseas, with each location responsible for promoting these measures so that we can achieve these targets collectively. My role is to promote these activities. Moreover, as we are a member of the Roche Group, when we set our own targets, it is essential that we consider our contribution to the achievement of the Roche Group’s targets, too.”

 

One such measure is to promote the introduction of sustainable electricity. This is a very important course of action as it is an instantly effective way of reducing CO₂ emissions. The company’s target is to use exclusively sustainable electricity by 2025, and as of 2024 97% of all electricity used is generated from renewable sources.

Initiatives Related to the UK4 Next-generation Bio Manufacturing Facilities

One measure aimed at global environmental protection that is worthy of special mention is the company’s adoption of the three-zero concept (zero gas, zero fluorocarbon, zero CO₂) through the UK4 next-generation bio manufacturing facilities (Started operation in Ukima, Kita-ku, Tokyo in January 2024).

 

To achieve zero CO₂ emissions and gas usage, gas boilers have been completely replaced with electric boilers to ensure that the facilities are exclusively run on electricity. Moreover, the company is also working to improve energy efficiency by switching from the distillation method to the filtration method in the manufacturing process for pharmaceutical water for injection. Power used for the UK4 facilities is entirely from renewable energy which is helping to achieve significant reductions in CO₂ emissions.

To achieve zero fluorocarbon usage, the company has implemented its own unique measures, systematically replacing existing refrigeration and air conditioning equipment to products using natural, non-fluorocarbon refrigerants. At the Chugai Life Science Park Yokohama, too, the company has installed low-environmental-impact centrifuges that use natural refrigerants.

Related information: Sustainability activity report: Adoption of natural refrigerant centrifuges at the new research base “Chugai Life Science Park Yokohama” (toward the mid-term environmental target of 100% reduction in fluorocarbons usage by 2030)

https://www.chugai-pharm.co.jp/english/sustainability/activity/detail/20231018000000_115.html?year=&category=

Suda explains, “While the introduction of new technologies requires initial investments and comes with operational challenges, over the long term these technologies can help to both reduce costs and the company’s environmental impact. Our plan is to roll out the expertise we have gained from these environmental protection measures to other facilities and plants.”

Integrated Management of the Environment, Safety, and Health, and Environmental Protection

Alongside its environmental protection activities, Chugai Pharmaceutical also places the utmost importance on initiatives to ensure employees’ safety and health.

 

Suda says, “Initiatives for the environment, health, and safety (EHS) are closely connected, and we believe it is important to manage these areas in an integrated manner. We ensure thorough management of chemical substances in our plants and research laboratories and aim to improve working environments and enhance our employee health examinations. We also hold regular EHS education and training programs to improve awareness among the workforce. Moreover, we are also promoting EHS management throughout the supply chain and require all our partner companies to engage in similar initiatives.”

Making Necessary Environmental Investments for the Future

Achieving the medium-term environmental targets for 2030 requires huge investments. As such, the Chugai Pharmaceutical Group has calculated the environmental investments necessary for equipment upgrades to reduce its CO₂ emissions and fluorocarbon usage.

“While our environmental measures do indeed require huge investments, the small actions of each individual are also very important. Employees can begin by taking the necessary action in their day-to-day tasks, such as properly separating rubbish, turning off unnecessary lighting, and setting appropriate room temperatures. These small actions can contribute to major corporate action. My hope is that our activities can have a ripple effect on other companies and society as a whole, and that Chugai Pharmaceutical can play a pioneering role,” says Suda.

Working Towards the Same Goal and Achieving Growth Together

Chugai Pharmaceutical’s environmental protection initiatives have received wide acclaim from external organizations. For example, the international environmental assessment organization CDP (formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project) recognized our leadership in both its climate change and water security categories. For the year 2024, we have been awarded on the highest ranking A List in the climate change category, and achieved an A- (A minus) rating in the water security category. Moreover, the company has appeared on the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index, the global framework for the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices, for five consecutive years, and is the second highest ranked pharmaceutical company in the world. This shows the excellence of Chugai Pharmaceutical’s environmental protection initiatives even by global standards.

 

Suda explains, “The effects of environmental protection initiatives will not appear overnight. But certain achievements can be built up through persistent work over the long term. It is especially pleasing to hear from suppliers and internal departments who agree with our vision and declare their intention to work with us to better the environment. The greatest part of my work is being able to work with others towards the same goal and achieve growth together.”