Driving Sustainable Innovation: VERDOT’s new Centre of Excellence

VERDOT’s new sustainable headquarters and manufacturing facility in Riom reflects its commitment to operational efficiency, environmental sustainability, and innovation. In the following interview, VERDOT CEO Charles Ruban discusses this new venture. 

With almost 30 years of international experience in the biopharmaceutical and medical industries, Charles Ruban is an expert in international healthcare. Charles has worked in a number of key positions throughout his career, and has led and contributed to the development of several major healthcare companies. He’s also developed strategic alliances, and launched therapeutic biologics in major pharmaceutical markets such as Europe, the US and Japan.

Prior to joining VERDOT, Charles was Deputy CEO of HTL Biotechnology, a leader in the development and production of medical biopolymers. Before that, he was COO of DBV Technologies, where he supported its development in France and the US.

1. What inspired the decision to establish the new sustainable headquarters and manufacturing facility in Riom, and how does this site reflect VERDOT's core values?

The decision to establish VERDOT’s new sustainable headquarters and manufacturing facility in Riom, France was driven by a combination of strategic, operational, and environmental priorities. First and foremost, we’ve seen strong and consistent demand from our customers for both large- and small-scale projects, reaffirming the industry’s recognition of VERDOT’s technical know-how and capabilities. This demand, coupled with our projections through 2030, highlighted the need to lay a robust, long-term foundation for growth.

Our current operations were split across two sites, which presented limitations in terms of efficiency and scalability. Consolidating our activities in Riom allows us to streamline operations and better support our expanding customer base. The new site is located within the Biopôle Clermont-Limagne, a prominent life sciences hub, positioning us ideally to attract top talent, especially those with deep expertise in French and international bioprocessing.

Furthermore, the facility has been designed with sustainability at its core. It represents a major step toward VERDOT’s goal of reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2030. This move underscores our commitment not only to our customers, but to the planet, offering a reliable, environmentally responsible partner for the long term.

2. The new facility will increase manufacturing capacity by 150% – how will this scale-up impact VERDOT’s role in the global bioprocessing landscape?

This significant increase in capacity marks a transformative moment for VERDOT. With a 150% boost in production capabilities, we are now in a stronger position to meet the growing global demand for both customised and standard purification systems. The new site will allow us to shorten lead times, improve responsiveness, and better serve high-growth areas such as monoclonal antibodies, mRNA, gene therapy, and viral vectors.

Beyond output, this expansion will enhance our global competitiveness and ability to innovate. As a result, VERDOT’s role as a trusted partner to CDMOs and biopharmaceutical companies is set to deepen, particularly in key international markets across North America, Asia, and Europe.

3. Can you walk us through some of the sustainable engineering features of the new site – and how they were prioritised during the design phase?

Sustainability was integrated into the project from the very beginning, guiding every major design and engineering decision. Key features include double-skin insulation for superior energy efficiency, and a state-of-the-art air-to-water heat pump system with four-tube technology to optimise climate control throughout the facility.

Approximately 30% of the rooftop is covered with photovoltaic panels, with the potential to expand coverage to 60%. The remaining surface is outfitted with green roofing, supporting biodiversity and insulation. A rainwater recovery and reuse system was installed to minimise water consumption, and we conducted a comprehensive carbon assessment of all building materials and construction processes to ensure accountability at every stage.

The facility was designed in strict compliance with RE2020, RT2012, and is on track to achieve BREEAM “HQE international” certification, demonstrating our commitment to meeting and exceeding international sustainability standards.

4. With the facility positioned as a Centre of Excellence, what specific advancements in R&D or applications do you hope to have coming out of this site?

The new site is more than a production space, it’s a hub for innovation. We’re investing heavily in the development of next-generation chromatography columns and purification skids tailored to emerging therapeutic modalities. Our team is also exploring new automation and control systems, including digital twins, to improve precision and scalability.

Additionally, we are designing advanced instruments and components to enhance purification performance, while placing an emphasis on evaluating materials for both technical efficiency and environmental impact. This R&D-focused approach will not only elevate our technological offerings but also ensure they align with the bioprocessing sector’s evolving needs.

5. How does VERDOT measure success when it comes to environmental impact, and how will the new facility help push those metrics even further?

At VERDOT, success in sustainability is measured through a comprehensive and transparent approach. The new facility is powered entirely by renewable energy and will not rely on fossil fuels, even for heating. Its activity will be integrated into our full carbon footprint analysis, covering Scopes 1 (direct emissions), 2 (energy consumption), and 3 (supply chain emissions).

Currently, we maintain one of the lowest emissions intensities in the industry at 2.2 TeqCO₂ per million euros of revenue. We continually monitor and optimise across several sustainability dimensions, including energy usage, material selection, waste reduction, and water reuse.

The new site strengthens our ability to make further progress on these metrics and reinforces our long-standing decarbonisation goals, which we established over a decade ago. It also ensures we maintain high standards of vendor transparency and build responsible, sustainable partnerships.

6. Looking ahead, how does VERDOT plan to continue leading in sustainable innovation within the bioprocessing sector – and what role do you hope this new facility will play in shaping that future?

As the bioprocessing industry evolves, VERDOT remains committed to listening to the market and anticipating its needs. We see a rising demand for large molecules, cell and gene therapies, and DNA-based products, all of which require faster time-to-market and purification systems that safeguard product integrity while minimising environmental impact.

To meet this demand, we’re significantly expanding our investment in R&D bringing in more people with expertise in project management, mechanical and fluidic systems, materials science, automation, and bioprocessing. Strategic partnerships with customers, suppliers, and technology providers will also play a crucial role in driving innovation forward.

This new facility is central to that vision. It serves not only as a production powerhouse, but as a springboard for sustainable solutions that will define the next era of bioprocessing.