Generating energy savings, and being awarded the 16th international Responsible Care® certificate for Environmental Excellence
- Lek, a Sandoz company, has introduced advanced cooling technology at its Lendava site that will save about 950 MWh of electricity and reduce CO2 emissions by 250 tons per year.
- As part of the HVAC FIL-AI project,Lek experts are working to reduce the environmental impact of air-conditioning systems and, together with its partners, are developing energy-efficient and sustainable solutions for pharmaceutical production.
- Through active energy management, they achieve efficient use of energy resources and continually identify opportunities for improvement.
The 16th consecutive international Responsible Care® certificate confirms that Lek is successfully upgrading its environmentally responsible business operations and, in doing so, remains committed to exceeding the standards.
| “Lek is modernizing and upgrading its energy efficiency management system, incorporating machine learning and artificial intelligence. Consumption of electricity, steam, heat, refrigeration and compressed air is continuously monitored and analyzed to identify opportunities for improvement.” Mojca Potočnik, Environmental protection officer |
The international Responsible Care® certificates were awarded a few days ago at a meeting of the RC Group, which focused on the energy aspects of environmental protection. Mojca Potočnik, Lek's environmental protection officer, noted that Lek is modernizing and upgrading its energy efficiency management system, incorporating machine learning and artificial intelligence. Consumption of electricity, steam, heat, refrigeration and compressed air is continuously monitored and analyzed to identify opportunities for improvement. The Lendava site increased its production volume by almost a fifth and the number of associates by 26% between 2018 and 2022. The improvements made have nevertheless reduced energy consumption by 1%, water consumption by 11%, and greenhouse gas emissions by 2%.
New developments at the Lendava site in 2023 included a restructuring of the distribution in the refrigeration system. The two existing generators have been replaced by a single, more powerful and efficient unit. The improvements will save around 950 MWh of electricity per year and reduce CO2 emissions by 250 tons.
Lek is also an active member of the HVAC FIL-AI project, which aims to increase material and energy efficiency in pharmaceutical production and reduce the environmental impact of air conditioning systems. Together with its partners, its experts are developing solutions to reduce energy consumption based on predictive algorithms and are working to extend the life of air conditioning systems by using innovative materials in filter parts. The project is being implemented at Lek's site in Lendava and is partly funded by the Recovery and Resilience Facility – part of the NextGenerationEU plan.
Did you know?
- The first computerized energy monitoring systems were installed at Lek in 1998, with the active energy management system being installed in 2018.
- The amount of water saved by the Lendava site between 2018 and 2022 could fill as many as 58 Olympic swimming pools (each containing 2,500 m3 of water).
- Lek is an applicant in the HVAC FIL-AI project, which is being carried out with consortium partners Metronik and IMP Promont.
- The Responsible Care (RC) program is an international voluntary initiative in the chemical industry. As part of the program, companies voluntarily commit to due diligence and improvements in environmental protection and occupational health and safety that go beyond the standard. In Slovenia, the program is managed by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry – Association of Chemical Industries.
- Lek remains committed to voluntary initiatives and high standards of environmental protection, including participation in the demanding EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS), and compliance with ISO 14001 and 45001.
About Lek
Lek, a Sandoz company, is the first and oldest pharmaceutical company in Slovenia, developing, manufacturing and marketing effective, safe and high-quality generics and biosimilars for patients around the world. Our work is guided by strong ethical standards, innovative thinking and the breakthrough achievements of our world-class professionals. With more than 3,700 associates, we have been actively shaping the Slovenian, European and global research and development landscape for decades. We are building a culture of open dialog, and we proudly and responsibly hold the title of most reputable employer in Slovenia.
About Sandoz
Sandoz (SIX: SDZ; OTCQX: SDZNY) is the global leader in generic and biosimilar medicines, with a growth strategy driven by its Purpose: pioneering access for patients. 22,000 people of more than 100 nationalities work together to bring Sandoz medicines to some 500 million patients worldwide, generating substantial global healthcare savings and making an even larger total social impact. Its leading portfolio of more than 1,500 products addresses diseases from the common cold to cancer.Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Sandoz traces its heritage back to the year 1886. Its history of breakthroughs includes Calcium Sandoz in 1929, the world’s first oral penicillin in 1951, and the world’s first biosimilar in 2006. In 2022, Sandoz achieved sales of USD 9.1 billion and core EBITDA of USD 1.9billion.
Disclaimer
This Media Release contains forward-looking statements which offer no guarantee with regard to future performance. These statements are made on the basis of management’s views and assumptions regarding future events and business performance at the time the statements are made. They are subject to risks and uncertainties including, but not confined to, future global economic conditions, exchange rates, legal provisions, market conditions, activities by competitors and other factors outside of the control of Sandoz. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual outcomes may vary materially from those forecasted or expected. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement, and Sandoz undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.
