On the way to Net Zero: Vetter achieves important sustainability goals in 2023

© Vetter Pharma International GmbH

– The family business has achieved ambitious sustainability goals
– Goal to be completely climate-neutral by 2050: Joining the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi)
– Voluntary reporting of sustainability targets strengthens customer relationships

Despite dynamic growth, Vetter has implemented its ambitious sustainability goals for 2023: Recently, the pharmaceutical service provider became a member of the SBTi and thus commits to adhering to strict CO2 reduction targets. Last year, the company also achieved EcoVadis Platinum status. Vetter is therefore among the top 1 percent of participants in the globally recognized sustainability ranking. The pharmaceutical service provider once again sets an example for the compatibility of economic success and the implementation of ambitious sustainability goals. Vetter has been voluntarily publishing a sustainability report since 2021.

Vetter CEO Thomas Otto says: “Sustainable growth is not just a marketing slogan for us. We have deliberately decided that our sustainability goals grow dynamically with the company and that we publish their status in a report accessible to everyone. This transparency also strengthens customer trust in us and supports them in their own sustainability reporting.”

Vetter relies on strict climate protection requirements for companies

At the end of 2023, Vetter joined the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi). Members of the SBTi commit to contributing to the goal of limiting global warming to a maximum of 1.5 degrees Celsius. To achieve CO2 neutrality, Vetter must reduce its annual emissions by 4.2 percent. Henryk Badack, Senior Vice President of Technical Service and Internal Project Management, responsible for the company's global sustainability activities, explains: “We continuously invest in more efficient and climate-friendly processes. Joining the SBTi was therefore the logical next step toward net zero. We have defined a plan that specifies the concrete measures we will take each year to further reduce our CO2 emissions. Regarding the EU directive on sustainability reporting, which will apply to us from the fiscal year 2025/2026, we are already proactively implementing CO2 reporting according to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol.”

Vetter has invested over one million euros in the construction of a large photovoltaic system on the roofs of its state-of-the-art material warehouse at the Ravensburg-Erlen site. Additionally, the natural gas combined heat and power plant at the site has been converted to biogas for a six-figure euro amount. The PV system has been generating around 700,000 kWh of electricity annually since then, accounting for about 10 percent of the site’s electricity consumption. This reduces CO2 emissions by approximately 330 tons per year. The conversion to biogas saves around 1,000 tons of CO2 annually.

Well prepared for the implementation of the EU Supply Chain Act

Socially and socially responsible action and business practices have always been part of Vetter’s corporate philosophy and are firmly embedded in the company's sustainability strategy. The pharmaceutical service provider commits itself and its business partners with a clearly defined code of conduct. Through the implemented compliance management system, Vetter supports employees and partners in adhering to compliance requirements. To assess compliance-related risks among business partners, the company has introduced processes to also consider these aspects of sustainability management.

Vetter CEO Peter Sölkner explains: “Vetter supports the goals of the Supply Chain Due Diligence Act. Many of these requirements were already part of our compliance processes. Especially with regard to the upcoming EU directive, we also see politics as responsible for maintaining proportionality. Successful entrepreneurial action requires quick decision-making processes and less bureaucracy.”