Samsung Biologics lays out sustainability plans in new ESG report

The company says its goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, limit waste, and increase social contributions in its new report

The South Korean CDMO outlined a range of initiatives to address several environmental, social, and governance (ESG) activities related to its business. These include lowering greenhouse gas emissions, managing waste to protect local ecosystems, promoting corporate social responsibility, and promoting diversity and inclusion in its workforce.  

The report highlights the company’s progress in reducing Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 32.3% compared to the previous year, and its commitment to reduce total Scope 1 and 2 emissions 54.3% and Scope 3 emissions 25.7% by 2026, compared to 2021. The company says it is also actively working to engage its suppliers to transition to net zero emissions in multiple areas and invest in renewable energy.  

Samsung Biologics also laid out plans for its new Plant 4, which is due to be completed in 2023. It said the plant would become ‘the most energy-efficient, eco-friendly bio biopharmaceutical plant where solar panels and green refrigerants are implemented.’ When Plant 4 is completed, the company will have a production capacity of 620,000 liters in total, accounting for approximately 30% of the total global CMO production capacity. 

Other environmental initiatives undertaken in recent months included replacing workplace lights with high-efficiency LED lights and building photovoltaic-based power facilities at the company’s Songdo site.  

Samsung Biologics participates in the Frontier 1.5D initiative, which aims to develop a climate risk management model as part of the 2050 Carbon Neutral Strategy, as well as the Carbon Disclosure Project and the Health Systems Taskforce, part of His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales’ Sustainable Markets Initiative.  

The report also detailed the separation of CEO and Chair positions in its Board structure and noted that outside directors were granted the right to request documentation.