CSL

The production of biological medicines at CSL’s manufacturing facilities requires large quantities of energy, water and processing materials. We see it as our responsibility to use these resources more efficiently and to reduce the associated greenhouse gas emissions and waste.

Since CSL’s last major acquisition, we have focused on implementing process changes at our manufacturing sites to minimise our environmental impacts. Over the last four years, for each unit of plasma processed, we have been able to reduce the amount of fresh water used by 34% and CO₂-e emitted by 36%.

As a result, our total consumption of energy and water has remained relatively stable over the period despite a significant increase in production of therapies. The same is true for our carbon emissions and waste water.

Initiatives at our plasma plants have included redirecting used water to other parts of the manufacturing process, modifying humidity, temperature and pressure levels and reducing the frequency of heated cleaning cycles. We have also taken advantage of capital works, equipment upgrades and new technology to reduce our environmental footprint.

Environmental performance has also been improved at our Parkville site in Australia, where we manufacture influenza vaccine for global markets. We have rationalised cooling towers and steam piping, redirected used water to boilers, improved heating and cooling controls, introduced on-line monitoring of waste water and installed rainwater tanks.

Throughout our plasma collection centres, we are installing programmable heating and cooling, energy efficient lighting, low-flow toilets and urinals and new demountable wall systems that are made from recycled and reusable materials. New software is being used to detect fugitive emissions from freezers and lab coats are now recycled to reduce biomedical waste.

Our European facilities continue to lead the way in waste management, with almost all waste being recycled or incinerated. Some incineration generates ‘greener’ energy which is captured for use in production. In Bern, ethanol waste is turned into biofuel for the town’s bus fleet and excess heat from recycled sources is supplied to a nearby school and stadium. These innovative programs offset Bern’s total carbon emissions by approximately one third.

This year, we formed environmental leadership groups to develop new goals and strategies, and ensure readiness for regulatory changes. We created a sharepoint to centralise global environmental data and to underpin performance management and reporting. Climate change risk assessment workshops have commenced and a green office pilot is under development.