As part of its ongoing efforts to reduce its carbon footprint and increase sustainability, Alexion, which is AstraZeneca’s Rare Disease Unit, has installed a heat pump at its Monksland based manufacturing facility.
The installation of the heat pump is a major achievement for the company and a significant step towards meeting its ambitious sustainability goals.
The heat pump captures heat from the onsite cooling towers, amplifies it, and diverts it to the onsite heat exchanger, providing a reliable and sustainable source of heat energy for the low-pressure hot water system. By reducing the use of natural gas and steam, the operation of the heat pump will lower carbon emissions for the site in Athlone by 50%.
“We are delighted to be further investing in our facilities in Ireland, an increasingly critical global hub for our operations. This development is an important milestone as we continue to push towards our sustainability goals. As a large organisation, it’s important for us to reduce our carbon footprint and show that we’re committed to reducing our environmental impact. The installation of the heat pump is a significant step forward in achieving these goals,” Shane Doyle, the Sustainability Lead for Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease Unit, commented.
The facility in Athlone has bold green plans to increase the sustainability of manufacturing practices to cut carbon emissions, leading the way in green innovation in Ireland and aiming to achieve zero carbon by 2025 and be carbon negative by 2030. This supports Ireland in meeting its ambitious target to reduce carbon emissions by 51% by 2030, and to achieve a climate neutral economy by 2050.
Alexion is dedicated to innovation and the installation of the heat pump is a prime example of this commitment. The company’s relentless pursuit of carbon neutrality not only contributes to a better future for the environment, but also aligns with their overall mission to improve the lives of patients with rare diseases.
Alexion Athlone is setting a benchmark for the pharmaceutical industry, proving that companies can prioritise sustainability and innovation, without compromising on quality or productivity.
