Vetter joins the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi)

On nearly 6,500 square meters of roof area, approximately 1,700 photovoltaic modules are now producing sustainable energy. © Vetter Pharma International GmbH:

– Commitment to CO2 accounting according to the globally recognized Greenhouse Gas Protocol
– ecovadis Platinum status achieved: Vetter is among the one percent of the most sustainable companies
– Sustainability goals are backed by concrete measures

Vetter, a globally leading Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO), has been a member of the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) since November 2023. The goal of companies in the SBTi is to become climate-neutral by 2050. With this, the SBTi advocates for the strictest climate protection targets for companies worldwide. The pharmaceutical service provider has thus committed to the 1.5-degree target. To this end, the company has presented a sustainability strategy with clearly defined steps until 2030, which already considers the impacts of the planned dynamic growth of the CDMO on its CO2 balance. With the commissioning of the new photovoltaic system and the conversion of another existing combined heat and power plant to biogas at the Ravensburg site for optical control and logistics, Vetter is already taking important steps toward net zero in 2023.

Henryk Badack, as Senior Vice President of Technical Service and Internal Project Management, oversees the company's global sustainability activities. He is convinced: "Many measures that other companies are only now implementing are already part of our daily routine. For example, 100 percent renewable electricity. We continuously invest to make energy-intensive production processes more efficient and gradually switch to climate-friendly energy sources. Joining the SBTi is therefore the logical next step for us: it makes even clearer to our customers and partners how and how we plan to achieve net zero."

By joining the SBTi, the company commits not only to ambitious climate goals: another central element is the implementation of uniform monitoring and reporting standards for CO2-relevant processes according to the guidelines of the international Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol. For the current sustainability report, Vetter has already recorded part of its Scope 3 emissions and reported the CO2 balance according to the GHG Protocol. Henryk Badack adds: "Through our SBTi membership, we commit to annual reporting and validation. This makes our measures to reduce our carbon footprint even more transparent and traceable, contributing to holistic sustainable supply chains."

Investments in climate-friendly energy generation

Pharmaceutical production is energy-intensive, making the switch to renewable energies correspondingly complex. Vetter has been investing for years in the development and expansion of local infrastructure for sustainable energy generation. In 2023, the company invested over one million euros in the installation of a large photovoltaic system on the roofs of the state-of-the-art material warehouse in Ravensburg, as well as a six-figure euro amount in converting a natural gas combined heat and power plant at the same location. Recently, only biogas is used here. The photovoltaic system will generate around 700,000 kWh annually. This corresponds to about 10 percent of the energy consumption at the site. As a result, Vetter saves approximately 330 tons of CO2 annually. The conversion to biogas will save around 1,000 tons of CO2 per year.

ecovadis Platinum status

Vetter is a global leader among CDMOs in the field of sustainability. Recently, the company received the Platinum status in the globally recognized ecovadis ranking, placing it among the one percent of the most sustainable companies. The key factors for the upgrade from Gold to Platinum status were the further developed initiatives for sustainable supply chains — from supplier evaluation measures to risk analyses in the areas of environment and human rights. Vetter’s role as an active member of the UN Global Compact (UNGC) and its continuous sustainability reporting also contributed to this excellent rating.

Outstanding commitment

Recently, the company received the Top Climate Commitment 2024 seal from the news magazine FOCUS. This places Vetter on the recommendation list for companies that are particularly ambitious in their climate efforts. Furthermore, the pharmaceutical service provider was awarded the 2023 Environmental Management Award in the category "Best Strategy for Sustainable Corporate Development" in November. This award is presented by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety, and Consumer Protection. Vetter impressed with its integrated management system, which provides a solid foundation for comprehensive sustainability management and encompasses the ecological, economic, and social pillars of the company.