Unique eco-friendly sustainable packaging from DSP, a laminate bag comprising four-layers of polyester, aluminum, nylon and polyethylene, ensures better protection of material compare to conventional packaging
Penicillin represents one of the most important groups of ß-lactam antibiotics, specifially amoxicillin is. Its discovery is still a landmark in the treatment of bacterial infections and is first line of therapy and remains the most prescribed anti-biotic.
Conventionally ß-lactam antibiotics are produced by complexed chemical synthesis. Challenges associated with conventional processes are, these involve use of toxic solvents and chemicals as well as generate considerable amounts of non-biodegradable wastes.
Conventionally beta lactam antibiotic bulk drugs are shipped in High Density Poly Ethylene Drums (HDPE)/ Corrugated boxes. A concern associated with such packaging is that these consumes significant amount of plastic and paper which have adverse impact on the environment.
Specifically the plastic pollution is adversely affecting environment and also the life of people, animals and birds in some way or other. More than a million sea birds and mammals dies every year due to plastic ingestion of entanglement. Moreover, with increased consumption of plastic it’s becoming difficult to dispose off non-biodegradable waste¹.
Another important concern of plastic, it consumes an incredible amount of fossil fuels. Most estimates put the figure at around eight per cent of world’s oil production. While significant amount of oil is consumed to produce plastic and then it is viewed as ‘too valuable to throw away’ as waste¹.
Demand of situation is to find innovative ways and means to reduce bio burden on planet.
Solution from DSM Sinochem Pharmaceuticals (DSP)
To combat the above challenges, in 1997 DSM Sinochem Pharmaceuticals (DSP) has started systematic phase out of conventional processes with eco-friendly synthesis across the globe.
DSP introduced Purimox (an enzymatically produced amoxicillin) in 2001 to counter above environmental concerns by eliminating toxic solvents and chemicals in the process and still delivers world’s highest stable and purer amoxicillin (close to 100 per cent). Green innovative processes inherently offset carbon footprints of earlier processes.
The next step is to address the plastic bio burden, DSP has innovated the way of packaging its Active Pharmaceuticals Substances. Purimox now comes in an eco-friendly packaging, first ever initiative taken by any API manufacturing company in the world for the packaging of beta lactam antibiotics.
The paradigm shift from conventional packaging to innovative packaging further offset carbon footprints (through conservation of natural resources like non-renewable fossil oils/energy) and at the same time providing an option of better and greener packaging and thus improving well-being of people and planet.
Unique eco-friendly sustainable packaging, a laminate bag comprising four-layers of polyester, aluminum, nylon and polyethylene, ensures better protection of material compare to conventional packaging. Transformation of innovation is demonstrated as below:
Benefits of innovative packaging
a. Reduction in non-biodegradable waste going to landfill
Worldwide we have concerns of handling waste generated through various channels. With increased waste, available landfill areas are getting exhausted very fast, if we continue the same way, the question is, where will be the place to live?
To secure land for generations to come, demand of situation is to control and minimise wastes going to landfill area.
Innovation like Purimox with unique packaging curtail 4,23,000kg of waste (by 90 per cent reduction compare to conventional HDPE Packaging) and therefore ease out problem of limited landfill area up to large extent.
b. Reduction in carbon dioxide emissions
Reduction in 90 per cent consumption of non-biodegradable substance will cut down 1,69,2000 kg of CO2 emissions per annum and thus improve health of people and plant².
c. Energy saving due to 80 per cent space reduction in warehousing
As per regulatory requirement, pharma active ingredients are to be stored at cool conditions. Cooling process involve significant amount of energy. Eco-friendly packaging significantly reduces the storage area. Purimox in innovative packaging can now be stored in 80 per cent lesser area compare to conventional HDPE drums and therefore it reduces energy conservation significantly.
d. Conservation of non-renewable fossil fuels
Reduction in non-biodegradable substance count for 7,40,000 liters savings of oil, equivalent to 35,955GJ energy³.
e. Reduction in hydrocarbons
A reduction of 90 per cent non-biodegradable substance will contribute in eliminating 4,23,000 liter of hydrocarbons. In addition, this will also save energy which is consumed during recycling/ disposal process.
f. Material safety
Industries have been facing concerns of pilferage in conventional packaging. Unique design makes Purimox packaging not only pilferage evident but also gives better protection to material from environment compare to conventional packaging.
Eco friendly packaging also address the issue of denting and damage which is quite common with conventional HDPE drums.
g. Operator-friendly packaging
Wider opening of new packaging makes it operator friendly and also reduces the occupational health hazard which are associated with drums.
Further in HDPE drums, metal ring and lock are the integral part of it, sharp rings have potential risk of injury to operator while handling.
h. Better GMP Compliant
New packaging is better cGMP compliant than before due to improved hygienic conditions during its manufacturing and transportation compare to conventional drums and boxes.
i. Customer satisfaction
Benefits as explained above are been appreciated by the customers in Asia Pacific, Middle East, Africa and Europe.
Space efficient packaging support their warehousing expansion plans as they can store up to 80 per cent more material in existing warehouse.
Shipping more material in container makes customers better sustainable as this reduces overheads cost for them in terms of transportation.
Regulatory compliance
European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines (EDQM) has granted the Certificate of European Pharmacopoeia (CEP) for eco friendly packaging. Expending scope of eco friendly packaging to global networking sites
After successful introduction of eco friendly packaging at India site, a dedicated team is closely working with global networking sites to switch from conventional to packaging to eco friendly packaging across the globe.
DSM Sinochem Pharmaceuticals stay committed for Sustainable Planet!!!
References:
http://www.plasticoceans.net/the-facts/a-global-issue/
http://www.unep.org/ietc/Portals/136/Conventional per cent20vs per cent20biodegradable per cent20plastics.pdf
http://www.photius.com/rankings/energy/electricity_consumption_per_capita_2013_0.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electricity_sector_in_India
Comments are closed.