SCHOTT Pharma, a provider of drug containment solutions and delivery systems, has reaffirmed its commitment to science-based climate action following the validation of its parent group's updated climate targets by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The updated framework, which includes the business scope of SCHOTT Pharma, introduces a new absolute Scope 3 emissions reduction target while maintaining existing Scope 1 and Scope 2 goals.
The company's Chief Financial Officer, Reinhard Mayer, emphasized the strategic shift: "While our commitment to climate action remains unchanged, the updated Scope 3 emissions target enables us to prioritize actions in a more impact-oriented way and focus on the emission reductions that matter most across our value chain." This approach moves beyond supplier commitments to concentrate on product and process improvements that directly reduce emissions in areas like purchased goods, fuel-related activities, and the processing of sold products.
The updated targets, validated by SBTi, are aligned with the Paris Agreement's goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C. The group retains its commitment to reducing absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions by 46.2% by fiscal year 2030 (from a 2019 baseline). Additionally, a new absolute Scope 3 target commits to a 27.5% reduction in emissions from the most impactful value chain categories over the same period. These categories include purchased goods and services (Scope 3.1), fuel- and energy-related activities (Scope 3.3), and the processing of sold products (Scope 3.10).
With this validation, the previous internal goal of “climate neutral by 2030,” which focused solely on Scope 1 and 2 and included compensation, has been discontinued. The new framework prioritizes absolute emission reductions over offsets, signaling a more rigorous approach to corporate climate responsibility.
SCHOTT Pharma continues to implement a broad portfolio of decarbonization initiatives. Since 2021, the company has sourced Energy Attribute Certificates from renewable energies for its global manufacturing network. Its Swiss site has transitioned to an advanced membrane-based system for generating Water for Injection (WFI), eliminating the high fuel demand of conventional distillation. This new technology relies primarily on electricity and heat recovery, improving water efficiency from typically 70% to over 90% while maintaining pharmaceutical quality standards.
Collaboration with suppliers and customers is central to reducing value chain emissions. The company works on renewable energy sourcing, material efficiency, and circular economy approaches. Given that glass tubing production is a significant source of emissions for pharmaceutical packaging, innovations in low-emission melting technologies within the SCHOTT Group's tubing business are crucial for cutting Scope 3.1 emissions. In supplier selection, SCHOTT Pharma evaluates climate targets and renewable electricity sourcing. Through industry initiatives like Energize and the Alliance to Zero, the company supports decarbonization across the healthcare value chain.
These efforts underscore SCHOTT Pharma's commitment to aligning its operations with scientific recommendations and international standards, ensuring that its climate action contributes meaningfully to global sustainability goals.
