Scope 1 & 2 reduction
Sustainable Healthcare for People and Planet
Environmental Sustainability at Fresenius Kabi
Our focus areas
Fresenius Kabi is working toward more sustainable healthcare – reducing emissions, saving water, and cutting waste across our global operations.
Our climate targets
Our 2030 and 2040 climate targets contribute to our long-term ambition of attaining net zero by 2050.
We are closely monitoring our greenhouse gas emissions to ensure we stay on track towards our group-wide targets. By the end of 2024 we were able to reduce our Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 26% compared to our baseline year 2020.
Target by 2030: a 50% absolute reduction of our total Scope 1 and 2 emissions (base year: 2020)
Target by 2040: climate neutrality in Scope 1 and 2
Target by 2050: net zero emissions in Scope 1, 2, and 3
Scope 1 comprises direct emissions that we cause through our own business activities.
Scope 2 relates to indirect, energy-related emissions that are caused by the consumption of purchased energy.
Scope 3 covers other indirect emissions from our value chain.
Share of energy sources
We pursue our climate targets by following a clear roadmap. We have identified four key levers for achieving our primary target of halving our Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030.
Expanding our use of renewable energy
In 2024, we sourced over 375,000 MWh of electricity from renewable sources via the grid, covering 61% of our total electricity consumption. Our additional renewable energy sources included on-site solar panels and bio-based fuels.
By 2030, we aim to get as much of our electricity as possible from renewable sources and our own on-site solutions. We currently have photovoltaic systems at 15 of our sites and continue evaluating how we can expand our on-site renewable electricity generation.
Fuel, technology, and process changes
We plan to adapt our production processes to further reduce emissions, using alternative technologies and switching to energy sources with lower or no emissions.
Electrifying our vehicle fleet
In 2024, we started replacing more of our fossil fuel-powered vehicles with electric models. We are also increasing the number of charging stations at our sites to support the transition to electric fleets.
Increasing our energy efficiency
We continuously work to increase the energy efficiency of our buildings and processes. We closely monitor our major energy-consuming systems, like lighting and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to optimize their energy consumption.
In production, we implement measures like replacing old technologies and pumps, reusing condensate, optimizing steam consumption, controlling leaks, and improving compressed air systems.
Reducing Emissions, Saving Resources
Measuring our value chain emissions
To systematically reduce the impact of the healthcare sector on climate change, it is crucial to consider the entire value chain. More than 80 % of Fresenius Kabis' carbon emissions are generated in our value chain - from the extraction and purchase of raw materials down to the end-of-life treatment of our sold products.
Fresenius Kabi regularly calculates and monitors its Scope 3 emissions across 9 applicable categories. Of particular significance is the category of purchased goods and services.
Overview Fresenius Kabi Scope 3 emissions
The collaboration with business partners and stakeholders in our up – and downstream value chain is essential to reduce our scope 3 emissions in the future. We have taken first steps in this direction, for example by joining business alliances and at the same time systematically strengthening our supplier and business partner engagement on climate and environment.
Moreover, product packaging will play a significant role in future Scope 3 emission management. Fresenius Kabi has already initiated innovative projects to reduce the amount of packaging material used per product or to switch to lightweight packaging. These initiatives pave the way for discovering additional methods to reduce product-related emissions in the future.
Curious about the role water plays in manufacturing our healthcare products? Find out more in the video below:
By 2030, we will reduce process water withdrawal at production sites in areas of water stress by 20% (baseline: 2023).
We are constantly working to increase water efficiency in our operations.
Water withdrawal (m³)
Mr. Listmann, we have set ourselves the goal of reducing water withdrawal at our production sites in areas with high water stress by 20 percent by 2030 compared to 2023 - how are we progressing?
We are making good progress. We have motivated employees around the world who are implementing various local initiatives. As a global Environmental, Health and Safety function, we support cross-site exchange. Our team acts as a link between the plants: we keep an eye out for new "best practice ideas" and then pass them on to all other sites.
What specific measures do we want to take to achieve this goal?
Firstly, we have expanded the monitoring of our water consumption. This enables us to better understand where we need to start in order to continue saving water. We have also discovered that we can save a lot of fresh water by treating and reusing wastewater in an even more targeted way. Treated wastewater could be used for cooling purposes, for example, thus reducing freshwater consumption in cooling towers.
Secondly, we have introduced an internal water price this month. It will be included in the calculation of investment decisions for new projects from the outset. This makes sustainable projects even more financially attractive during the decision-making process. This is important because today's investments will have a massive impact on the sustainable development of our locations in the years to come.
Which projects are particularly promising?
There are various lighthouse projects that come to mind. At our production site in Aquiráz in Brazil, the condensate from large air conditioning systems is recycled and reused as water for cleaning processes, for example. The project was part of several efficiency measures that now save a total of around 26,000 cubic meters of fresh water per year.
Another initiative: Many sites use, among other things, reverse osmosis systems to treat drinking water so that we can later use it in our products - such as IV drugs and fluids - as water for injection (WFI). Reverse osmosis is a water filter technology that we have been using in production for many years. In addition to the pure water that is produced, the operation of these systems means that we have residual water with an increased concentration of particles. This concentrate can be partially recycled so that some of the water can be reused for some production processes.
The reuse of wastewater from distilleries is another project that has already been implemented at many relevant sites that produce IV drugs and fluids. Distilleries are often used to produce WFI. Although the resulting wastewater is generally of good quality, but it cannot be reused for pharmaceutical products. However, it is often completely sufficient for technical purposes, for example as water for steam boilers. As the water even comes out of the distilleries hot, we not only save water, but also the energy required to heat the fresh water for steam generation. A good example that shows that energy efficiency and the reduction of water consumption can be combined.
Tobias Listmann, Director Global Water & Project Management at Fresenius Kabi
Ensuring water quality and efficiency
Alongside water usage and water efficiency, water quality is one of the cornerstones of our commitment to sustainability and product safety. At Fresenius Kabi, we recognize that water is not only a vital resource for life but also an essential component in the production of high-quality pharmaceutical products. We are dedicated to maintaining stringent water standards, optimizing its use, and minimizing environmental impact. Through innovative processes and a steadfast adherence to legal regulations, we ensure every step of water management reflects our values of responsibility and excellence. Below you will find detailed insights into how we manage water quality and wastewater during production.
Water used in our products
- The water used in products like infusion solutions must meet strict quality requirements, higher than those of regular drinking water.
- We distil or filter water in a special process to remove germs and other impurities and ensure our products are safe for patients.
Wastewater from production
- The production of our pharmaceutical products generates wastewater.
- We comply with relevant legal wastewater requirements and use various methods to clean and treat the water beforehand.
AMR Industry Alliance
Fresenius Kabi produces antibiotics, which help people all over the world with infections caused by bacteria. However, during their production processes, residues can enter wastewater that risk causing water pollution and fostering antibiotic resistance. We take this risk very seriously.
This is why we joined the Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Industry Alliance in 2020 and have been actively involved in its governing bodies since 2023. Working with industry peers and partners, like the national standards body of the United Kingdom (BSI Standards Limited), we promote responsible antibiotic production and introduce industry frameworks and standards to minimize inherent risks.
Circularity and waste reduction in practice: our approach
How does Fresenius Kabi pursue its circularity ambitions? Here are some examples of our waste reduction and resource management:
Built to last: extended lifespans and maintenance
Many of our products, like pumping systems, are designed to last up to 15 years with regular maintenance. We guide our clients on these maintenance intervals, based on the product’s specific use. For instance, our AmiCORE Apheresis System for blood donations has a 15-year lifespan.
Creating repairable products and facilitating repairs
We design our products to be durable and repairable. We provide manuals and spare parts, which we keep in stock for seven to ten years after production. Ongoing software updates are also available.
Resource-efficient products – by design
We are working to reduce the amount of plastic in containers while maintaining product quality and safety. We also save materials by using bulk packaging in the production and distribution of our healthcare products.
Recycling wherever possible
To meet legal and hygiene standards, we aim to close our recycling loops. Items like manuals and corrugated packaging are also fully recyclable.
Raising awareness
In 2024, we trained all managers in the environment, health, and safety topics of waste reduction and recycling.
Advancing waste reduction through sustainable packaging
Packaging is a key focus area when it comes to waste reduction and circularity. We have continuously improved our products in this regard – from replacing the plastic trays for injection products with cardboard alternatives to reducing the plastic weight of nutritional supplement containers.
Yet, there is still some way to go. A new roadmap will further shape our transition toward more sustainable packaging, including the following steps:
Aligning more closely with our stakeholders and customers.
Embedding sustainable packaging principles into procurement, production, and research and development.
Driving cross-functional programs backed by product life cycle assessments (LCAs).
Advancing sustainability through our Environmental Management System
Based on our ISO 14001-certified Environmental Management System, we follow international standards to use natural sources efficiently and reduce emissions at our sites. By 2026, we aim to extend our current certifications to all manufacturing plants worldwide.
We are also working towards rolling out our ISO 50001 energy management system to all production sites worldwide by 2026.
To read more about our Corporate Environmental Management Certificates, see our Resource Center. Do you have questions about our ISO 14001 and ISO 50001 policies? Reach out to us at EHSpolicies@fresenius-kabi.com.