Samsung Biologics released a joint public letter with seven global pharmaceutical companies as part of the Health Systems Task Force within the Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI). As the chair of the supply chain sector in SMI, Samsung Biologics aims to fulfill its social responsibility and boost its market competitiveness as a global top-tier CMDO.
Industry sources reported on Saturday that SMI is a global climate change response initiative launched under the leadership of King Charles III of the United Kingdom following the 2020 World Economic Forum. Its mission is to accelerate the transition to a sustainable future by establishing a private global cooperation network.
The SMI Health Systems Task Force comprises eight global pharmaceutical and biotech companies, including Samsung Biologics, AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Merck, Novo Nordisk, Roche, Sanofi, and UCB. Notably, Samsung Biologics is the sole participating global CDMO and chairs the supply chain within the task force.
The public letter outlined six strengthened implementation measures to reduce carbon emissions across the supply chain.
Specifically, they proposed establishing and disclosing Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions by 2028, and setting long-term and short-term Science Based Targets (SBT) for all scopes, verified by third parties, by 2027.
By 2030, the plan includes converting at least 80% of total energy consumption to renewable sources, with annual progress reports, and reducing process heat emissions by at least 20%.
The letter also outlined plans to actively procure low-carbon and circular input materials, such as sustainable raw materials for solutions and plastics, and to improve water use efficiency.
The task force encouraged suppliers to participate in the climate response, noting that the healthcare sector accounts for about 5 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, and that more than half of those emissions come from the supply chain. The letter said suppliers can help strengthen a more sustainable and resilient value chain.
The task force also proposed four support measures to facilitate smooth implementation for suppliers: a renewable energy and heat procurement program, sustainable plastic sourcing, carbon emissions measurement tools, and dedicated support webinars.
They plan to share relevant educational materials and provide ongoing support for suppliers.
Meanwhile, Samsung Biologics is leading efforts to reduce carbon emissions to be recognized as a sustainable CDMO partner, beyond its role as a global CDMO. In 2022, they declared a 2025 Net Zero goal and joined RE100.
A Samsung Biologics representative stated that the company will consider environmental impacts across its entire value chain, including services and logistics, and implement carbon-reduction activities aligned with international standards.