SCHOTT Pharma, a pioneer in drug containment solutions and delivery systems, is intensifying its climate action following the validation of SCHOTT Group's updated climate targets by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The new framework, which includes a strengthened focus on Scope 3 emissions, underscores the company's commitment to science-based decarbonization across its value chain.
The updated targets, validated at the group level, maintain the existing goal to reduce absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 46.2% by fiscal year 2030, compared to a 2019 baseline. However, they introduce a new absolute Scope 3 target: a 27.5% reduction in emissions from key value chain categories over the same period. These categories include purchased goods and services, fuel- and energy-related activities, and the processing of sold products. This shift from supplier-focused commitments to absolute reductions enables SCHOTT Pharma to prioritize actions with the greatest impact, focusing on product and process improvements rather than relying on offsets or supplier engagements alone.
Reinhard Mayer, CFO of SCHOTT Pharma, emphasized the importance of this evolution: "While our commitment to climate action remains unchanged, the updated Scope 3 emissions target enables us to prioritize actions in a more impact-oriented way and focus on the emission reductions that matter most across our value chain."
The validation by SBTi confirms that the targets align with the Paris Agreement's goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. As part of this updated framework, SCHOTT Group and SCHOTT Pharma have discontinued their previous internal goal of "climate neutral by 2030," which only covered Scope 1 and 2 and included compensation as a key component. The new targets are more stringent, reflecting scientific advancements and technological progress.
Decarbonization remains at the core of SCHOTT Pharma's corporate strategy. The company has sourced Energy Attribute Certificates (EACs) from renewable energies for its global manufacturing network since 2021. It continuously improves energy efficiency across its processes and site infrastructure. For example, at its Swiss site, SCHOTT Pharma switched from conventional distillation to an advanced membrane-based system for generating Water for Injection (WFI). This new technology eliminates the high fuel demand associated with distillation, relying primarily on electricity and heat recovery, and improves water efficiency from typically 70% to more than 90%, while maintaining full compliance with pharmaceutical quality and regulatory requirements.
Collaboration with suppliers and customers is also key to reducing emissions throughout the value chain. For glass-based containment solutions, emissions from the production of pharmaceutical glass tubing represent a significant share of the overall carbon footprint. Consequently, innovations within the SCHOTT Group's tubing business, including new low-emission melting technologies, play a crucial role in reducing Scope 3.1 emissions. In sourcing decisions, SCHOTT Pharma evaluates suppliers' climate targets and renewable electricity sourcing. Through the industry initiative Energize, SCHOTT and SCHOTT Pharma support suppliers in their decarbonization efforts by facilitating access to expertise, resources, and renewable electricity procurement opportunities. The company also participates in collaborations such as Alliance to Zero to help advance decarbonization across the healthcare value chain.
These actions demonstrate SCHOTT Pharma's dedication to addressing climate change, aligning its operations with science-based targets, and contributing to a sustainable future for the pharmaceutical industry.
