Section ECONOMY
TOPIC

Galenica S.A.

Reduction of waste volume, packing volume and consumption of resources and energy

This environmental program was connected with the reduction of packaging volume used for a specific product while intended to induce significant reduction in resources and energy consumption.

  • Consumers
  • Galenica employees
  • Local community

2 years

Mag 2 is a pharmaceutical product containing magnesium and is packaged in 20 glass vials of 10ml. For the filling of these vials, because of the particularity of glass packaging, large quantities of hot and cold water were consumed as well as adequate quantity of oil to heat the water. Significant amounts of fragments from broken vials were also observed during the manufacturing process. The environmental program included the replacement of 20 small vials by more resistant vials. The objective was implemented in 2011.

The implementation stages of the environmental program were as follows:
 

1. Development of a new pharmaceutical product formulation to meet the requirements of the National Drug Organization (EOF) for the new packaging.
2. Submission to NDO (EOF) of the new product folder for approval.
3. Approval of the new product by NDO (EOF).
4. Modification of the production line for the new packaging.
5. Inspection by NDO (EOF) and approval of machines and new production line.
6. Beginning of new product production.

N/A

Over than 10 employees

Chalkis

The benefits of replacing Mag 2 packaging, were:
 

1. Minimization of complaints by consumers related to the packaging by 65%.
2. Usage of pharmaceutical product by diabetic patients, as the new formula contains no sugar.

The benefits of replacing Mag 2 packaging, were:
 

1. Minimization of water consumption required for the production process of filling the vials by 33%.
2. Minimization of energy consumption (diesel) for heating the water quantities required for production by 15%.
3. Significant reduction of water ending in the sewage system by 63%.