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Fighting Antimicrobial Resistance

How Fresenius Kabi contributes to a healthier tomorrow

November 18, 2025

Imagine a world where life-saving antibiotics no longer work – where minor infections could once again become deadly. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the most pressing health challenges of our time. Driven by the misuse and overuse of antimicrobials in humans, animals, and plants, it is a major global health threat responsible for millions of deaths annually. When bacteria evolve to resist antibiotics, once-treatable infections can become life-threatening. At Fresenius Kabi, we recognize our responsibility as a global healthcare company and are determined to fight this.

Female laboratory technician holding a petri dish in the air.

During AMR Awareness Week, we reaffirm our commitment to responsible antibiotic manufacturing, and patient safety. This year, three of our manufacturing sites – Santiago de Besteiros (Portugal), Kutno (Poland), and Graz (Austria) – received BSI Kitemark™ for Minimized Risk of AMR Certification, underscoring our dedication to responsible manufacturing practices. 

The BSI Kitemark by the British Standards Institution (BSI) is an independent certification that verifies the safety, quality, and reliability of products and services. It confirms that our manufacturing processes comply with the AMR Industry Alliance’s Antibiotic Manufacturing Standard and acknowledges our commitment to: 

  • Minimize the release of antibiotic residues into wastewater
  • Control emissions of antibiotic residues in waste streams during manufacturing
  • Promote responsible pharmaceutical manufacturing

Leading by example and raising the bar in responsible antibiotic manufacturing

Within Fresenius Kabi, our sites at Kutno, Poland,  and Santiago de Besteiros, Portugal, are the biggest in Europe  when it comes to antibiotic production . The latter was the first site at Fresenius Kabi to receive BSI Kitemark™ certification for minimized AMR risk. Learn more about Fresenius Kabi Portugal earning AMR certification for antibiotics.

Group photo of Fresenius Kabi staff in protective clothing at antibiotic production facility in Portugal

Kutno site: innovations to reduce antibiotic emissions

At our Kutno site in Poland, we have taken significant steps to reduce antibiotic emissions into the environment. Beginning in 2023, we implemented a comprehensive, stage-by-stage transformation of our production processes: from powder delivery and preparation to bottle filling, transport, and laboratory testing.

Thanks to the efforts of our production and engineering teams, the new installation has significantly minimized potential antibiotic discharge to the environment. In addition to achieving the primary goal of environmental protection, the installation of the compressed air transfer system (also known as dry cleaning) has improved production efficiency. This means we not only met our discharge limits but also enhanced overall production performance.  

In 2025, the Kutno site  has received BSI Kitemark™ certification for minimized AMR risk for two vital antibiotics that are manufactured here, and which are used to treat and prevent serious bacterial infections. This achievement was only possible through cross-functional collaboration. Teams from production, engineering, investment, environmental protection, quality control, and quality assurance worked together to align environmental responsibility with the highest standards of product safety.    

“In the case of antibiotic resistance, thanks to the actions we are taking now, we won't have anything to solve in the future. This is the only right direction – one that we must follow ”, says Adam Borowski, EHS Manager at Fresenius Kabi Poland.

 

Graz site: AMR certificate through best practices

At our production unit in Graz, Austria, AMR certification was a natural next step. The site had long adhered to stringent environmental and quality standards, making BSI Kitemark™ certification for minimized AMR risk in the production a confirmation of existing best practices. 

“Minimizing the risk of antimicrobial resistance is not just a regulatory requirement, it’s a responsibility we take seriously. The AMR certification at our Graz site reflects our strong commitment to sustainable production and patient safety.”, says Frank Wilgmann, General Management at Fresenius Kabi Austria. 

Our Principles in Action

Fresenius Kabi is guided by the Fresenius Principles. By handling antibiotic discharge responsibly, we help ensure that these life-saving medicines remain effective and available when patients need them most. We not only act today for a better tomorrow – we serve patients beyond expectation. 

Courtney Soulsby, BSI Global Director, Healthcare Sustainability states: “Fresenius Kabi has taken a critical step forward to address the growing threat from Antimicrobial Resistance and reduce antibiotic discharge from the manufacturing process into the environment. Fresenius Kabi is driving environmental impact within the generics industry, through their efforts to have external certification to verify the responsible manufacturing practices across their antibiotic production sites. Our hope is that other organizations follow, so that we can collaborate and accelerate progress towards a more sustainable world.”