Environment
Sartorius is committed minimizing environmental impact in the life science and pharmaceutical industries. Our solutions help reduce energy, water, and chemical consumption while optimizing cleanroom space.
At the same time, we work to lower our own ecological footprint by focusing on emissions, waste reduction, and circular economy initiatives.
Climate Change
Our ambitions for 2045: Complete decarbonization of business activities
This is how we aim to achieve our net-zero ambition
As a supplier to the biopharmaceutical industry, we are not an emissions-intensive sector. However, we also have an obligation to society as a whole and have set ourselves the goal of achieving net-zero total emissions by 2045. Avoidable Scope 1 and 2 emissions directly attributable to us will be net zero by 2030.
Mid-term ambitions until 2030
- Reduce CO2eq emission intensity by ~10% per year on average compared to 2019
- Zero avoidable emissions in scope 1 and 2
- 100 % electric energy from renewable sources
In close cooperation with our business partners along the value chain, we have already initiated numerous activities to reduce emissions. These include, for example, purchasing electricity from renewable sources, switching from air to sea transportation, reducing business travel and introducing eco-design for products and packaging - especially with regard to the use of CO2-intensive petroleum-based plastics.
Sartorius will continue to grow in the future. In order to be able to evaluate the emission reductions achieved against this background, the company has also set itself a target for the CO2eq emission intensity: This is to be reduced by an average of approximately 10% per year compared to the base year 2019.
Scope 1
Emissions in Scope 1 are direct emissions. They result mostly from the use of fossil fuels to generate heat and power at our sites or process emissions.
Switching to renewable energy at our sites will have a major impact in reducing Scope 1 emissions. The process emissions generated during membrane production are currently deemed unavoidable based on the technology available at present.
We aim to eliminate all avoidable Scope 1 emissions by 2030.
Scope 2
Indirect emissions within Scope 2 occur during the generation of purchased energy, particularly electricity.
We are working to switch to zero-emission energy from renewable sources wherever possible. The success of this effort is subject to the availability of renewable energy at our global locations.
We plan to eliminate Scope 2 emissions by 2030.
Scope 3
More than 90% of our emissions are accounted for in Scope 3. In line with our net-zero ambition by 2045, we are working closely with our business partners along the value chain to reduce these emissions.
Taking responsibility along the entire value chain
Around 96% of emissions attributed to Sartorius are generated in the upstream and downstream value chain. Together with suppliers and customers, we are working towards complete decarbonization.
Resources and Circularity
Sartorius is committed to improving resource efficiency and advancing the circular economy along the value chain. Key focus areas include eco-design, reducing dependence on fossil-based materials, enhancing product recyclability, and eliminating operational landfill waste.
Find more information in the 2024 Sustainability Report under "Pollution".
Water and Wastewater
At Sartorius, water is mainly used for the production and modification of membranes. Our manufacturing processes are designed to minimize the use of rinsing water and reduce wastewater and pollution. Organic solvents are treated and largely recycled.
Distillation plants are installed at the relevant consumption sites in Göttingen and Yauco to ensure almost closed solvent cycles. In addition, the Yauco and Bangalore sites have a cistern system that collects rainwater for various applications.
Find more information in the 2024 Sustainability Report under "Pollution".
