Trend Report

Why Pharma Should be Focusing on ESG

A comprehensive look at the environmental, social, and governance imperatives reshaping the pharmaceutical supply chain — and how Datwyler is leading by example.

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About this Trend Report

The pharmaceutical industry's ESG obligations extend far beyond emissions reduction — encompassing supply chain transparency, health equity, data governance, and ethical business practices. This 2022 report by Datwyler examines the three interconnected pillars of ESG — environmental, social, and governance — and makes the case for why pharma companies and their packaging partners must treat sustainability as a strategic priority, not a compliance exercise.

On the environmental front, the report cites research showing pharma's emission intensity is approximately 55% higher than the automotive industry, and spotlights actionable steps including green facility design, electric vehicle fleets, and the elimination of single-use plastics.

On the social side, it addresses health and safety obligations, human rights in the supply chain, diversity in clinical trials, and community healthcare access.

Governance coverage includes regulatory compliance, anti-corruption measures, and ethics as a long-term business driver. As a founding member of Alliance to Zero — a pharma supply chain initiative targeting net zero emissions by 2030 — Datwyler details its own measurable sustainability progress: renewable electricity doubled to 38% of total consumption, CO₂ emissions per revenue unit reduced by 8.1% four years running, a 74.1% waste recycling rate, and ecodesign innovations like DuraCoat™ and a Pune solar plant.

The report positions collaborative supply chain action as the only path to meaningful, industry-wide ESG transformation.

The pharmaceutical industry's environmental footprint is significantly larger than commonly assumed — with emission intensity ~55% higher than automotive — making supply chain decarbonization, ecodesign, and waste reduction urgent strategic priorities rather than optional initiatives.
Social ESG in pharma requires action across multiple dimensions: protecting worker health and safety, addressing human rights in global supply chains, increasing diversity in clinical trials, and expanding community healthcare access — all areas where packaging partners like Datwyler play a direct role.
Datwyler's founding membership in Alliance to Zero and its measurable 2021 sustainability milestones — including 38% renewable electricity, 74.1% waste recycling, and the DuraCoat™ ecodesign platform — demonstrate that net zero pharmaceutical supply chains are achievable through collaborative, data-driven commitment.

Why Pharma Should be Focusing on ESG

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