The importance of transparent communications
Pressure for sustainable practices among businesses is growing in the global pharma industry, driven by both customer demand and evolving regulations. This pressure is driving drug developers and manufacturers to consider factors ranging from resource consumption and circularity in product lifecycles, to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and beyond.
Addressing the need for environmental responsibility will require concerted efforts across many aspects of businesses. And beyond just technological developments, the same care that goes into adjusting products and processes must also be taken when communicating them to the industry. With sustainability such a major and dynamic movement, it is important not to get lost in the generalisations of ‘green technology’, and instead to focus on the real, measurable benefits we are striving for. This means that transparency and clarity are fundamental in order to be credible and ultimately create a tangible difference.
Getting specific: ‘Low carbon’ pMDIs
At Bespak, we take our responsibility as an industry leader seriously and are working on multiple initiatives to reduce our environmental impact and help promote these changes across the industry. On top of taking accountability for the footprint of our operations, we also believe that we have a responsibility to be clear and direct when discussing our sustainability strategy and the initiatives we are implementing.
Accuracy and precision are vital for scientists, and we employ this approach not only in our science, but also in the way we talk about the environmental impact of our operations. We aim to be specific and transparent as we communicate our sustainability initiatives to avoid misleading statements, overpromises and generalisations. This means we will continually strive to use accurate and meaningful words to convey the details of our efforts, avoiding green buzzwords and vague claims about green solutions.
A key area that brings this into focus is the progressive global adoption of the new generation of propellants for pressurised Metered Dose Inhalers (pMDIs). The word ‘green’ is used frequently used when discussing this shift, often synonymously with ‘sustainable’ or ‘environmentally friendly’. An obvious example is the phrase ‘the green transition’ – widely used and recognised as referring to the propellant shift. However, when speaking about the specific aspects of the transition, at Bespak we are working to ensure maximum clarity with our language: for example, when referring to the two new propellant candidates, HFA-152a and HFO-1234ze. Whilst ‘green propellant’ is a term that is recognised and understood in the industry, the phrase ‘low Global Warming Potential (GWP) propellant’ adds further specificity, particularly in a technical context. For pMDIs themselves, ‘green’ or ‘greener’, ‘sustainable’, ‘eco-friendly’ or even ‘environmentally conscious’ are vague and non-quantifiable, and could leave room for misinterpretation, potentially implying a smaller environmental impact than in actuality. These terms could be interpreted to refer to the materials used in the device, or to suggest circularity or recyclability.
With this in mind – and to deliver on our commitment to transparency – we are adopting the term ‘low carbon’ when referring to pMDIs using new, next-generation low GWP propellants. ‘Low carbon’ speaks specifically to the benefit of the new propellants: significantly reducing, but not fully eliminating, the carbon emissions of the pMDI. In addition, because the GWP of both propellant candidates has been demonstrated, this terminology can be backed up by data and does not overpromise.
‘Low carbon’ is just one part of the puzzle
Whilst we are currently focused on the carbon emissions of propellants in our pMDIs, we know our products don’t exist in a vacuum. Reducing environmental impact across the full life cycle of our products, and across all of our operations, is a priority for Bespak as we go forward.
In line with our overall goal of contributing to a healthier planet and society, we are considering the holistic impact of not just the propellants we use to make pMDIs, but our whole organisation. Our Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) initiatives span issues from climate change, biodiversity and resource circularity to our supply chains, workforce and community. And in keeping with our approach to pMDIs, we are committed to communicating these initiatives and their impacts with the same level of transparency and specificity.
One example of our ESG work is the in-depth product lifecycle analysis (LCA) currently underway. This will provide further insight into the full carbon impact of the product from raw material extraction, all the way to end of life (product disposal), again allowing us to be more specific when discussing the impact that our products have on carbon emissions and highlighting areas for improvement.
Leading with responsibility
At Bespak, we are vocal about our goal of ‘leading the green transition’ – we are serious about this, and everything it entails. As an organisation, we recognise that responsibility and accountability are vital ingredients of leadership. Transparency and clarity from those leading the way will drive faster progress, and we’re aiming to continue building our contribution as the specialist inhalation CDMO with ESG woven into every fibre of our business.
