Simon Gardner
Commercial Director
In March 2026, Chiesi and Bespak® expanded their manufacturing partnership, increasing pressurised Metered Dose Inhaler (pMDI) production capacity at Bespak's Holmes Chapel site to support Chiesi's Carbon Minimal Inhaler (CMI) programme. Chiesi’s programme was designed to reduce the carbon footprint of pMDIs by up to 90% through the transition to a next-generation, low Global Warming Potential (GWP) propellant, while maintaining established treatment options and device familiarity for patients.
The partnership announcement confirmed something the industry has quietly known for a while: the transition to low carbon pMDIs is no longer a future planning exercise. It is happening now, at commercial scale, with real timelines attached.
A decade on since the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, the question is no longer whether the transition will happen, but how quickly organisations can secure the capacity, infrastructure, expertise and supply-chain resilience needed to support it. For companies that have not yet acted, that window of opportunity is already closing.
A partnership built on shared commitment
pMDIs are essential for the treatment of respiratory diseases, but the environmental impact associated with them must be addressed without impacting patient access to treatment. Building on years of collaboration, the agreement between Bespak and Chiesi reflects a shared long-term vision: delivering lower carbon inhaled therapies at scale, without compromising clinical choice or continuity of care.
Sustainability is no longer an optional add-on — it's foundational to the entire supply chain and vital to the future of the inhalation industry. Bespak's commitment to sustainability is grounded in measurable, science-based targets. It has recently received validation of its net-zero and near-term emission reduction targets from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), including a long-term target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 97% by 2050.
By deepening this collaboration, both companies have demonstrated how ambition can be translated into action across the value chain. The partnership is not a signal of where things are heading. It is evidence of where they already are.
What Bespak brings to the transition
The UK has a long and well-established history as a centre of excellence in pMDI development and manufacturing. In recent years, this position has strengthened with the evolution of a specialist ‘pMDI hub’ in North West England with Bespak’s Holmes Chapel site positioned within this R&D and manufacturing cluster. Bespak contributes advanced technical expertise, high-value skills and long-term investment in low carbon pMDI manufacturing. With significant expansion underway, the site is on track to support large-scale commercial manufacturing with both low GWP propellants, HFA-152a and HFO-1234ze(E), helping to address the capacity shortfall the industry faces as demand for low carbon pMDIs accelerates.
Technical capability is only part of the equation. Supply chain resilience is another. That is why Bespak has worked to shorten and strengthen the pMDI supply chain, developing collaborative partnerships with fellow UK-based pMDI leaders including DH Industries, Orbia Fluor & Energy Materials, H&T Presspart, OzUK and the Medicines Evaluation Unit.
Together, these collaborations have created a cluster of excellence, pooling capabilities, manufacturing equipment, propellant and component supply and clinical trial support. Consolidating the supply chain in this way also reduces the carbon emissions that arise from transporting materials between sites during development and production, a practical benefit that compounds over time.
The partnership between Bespak and Chiesi also reflects the evolving role of specialist contract development and manufacturing organisations (CDMOs) in the pharmaceutical ecosystem. Relationships between pharma companies and CDMOs are becoming longer-term and more strategic. Many partnerships now involve early investment, dedicated infrastructure, specialised technical support and shared planning around future commercial supply. This is particularly important in the transition to low GWP propellants, which is far more complex than a simple reformulation exercise. Developers must navigate challenges spanning formulation performance, device compatibility, regulatory requirements and capacity utilisation planning. As a result, CDMOs are increasingly expected to contribute expertise in scalability, risk mitigation, regulatory strategy and supply chain resilience alongside manufacturing activities.
By combining manufacturing investment with supply chain depth and a legacy of specialist expertise, Bespak is using its position to accelerate the journey toward more sustainable inhaled drug delivery — a journey that will not pause for those still deciding whether to join it.
The window for action is now
The partnership between Bespak and Chiesi reflects a broader industry shift. Regulatory pressure on high GWP propellants is real and building. Market demand for low carbon pMDIs is growing as customers pursue their own sustainability goals independent of regulations. The developers who are moving now are securing manufacturing partnerships, building supply chain resilience, and positioning themselves ahead of both market and regulatory demands.
Those who delay risk being left behind — unable to meet the expectations of healthcare systems and patients who will increasingly require lower carbon options be available.
Bespak's leadership in low carbon pMDI manufacturing, and the expanded capacity at Holmes Chapel, means it is ready to support the next wave of customers through this transition.
Whether you are at the early stages of your low carbon pMDI strategy or ready to move into commercial manufacturing, now is the time to act. Contact us today to discuss your low carbon project needs.
