Orion is stepping up its game in minimising the environmental impact of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) care. Concerns for the climate and ecosystems are increasing among patients and healthcare professionals alike. As such, Orion has set ambitious goals to reach company-wide carbon neutrality by 2030.
The journey of carbon neutral dry powder inhalers (DPI) began over 30 years ago when Orion decided to focus on dry powder inhaler development instead of CFC and HFA propellant based aerosol products. It required constant development of manufacturing processes in each step of the product life cycle. For Orion’s own operations, this has meant increasing e.g. energy efficiency and switching to renewable energy.
In terms of Easyhaler® product range, the journey to carbon neutral certification began with careful evaluations. In 2021, we conducted a cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment (LCA) analysis for our entire 6 DPI product range. According to the assessment, the average carbon footprint of one Easyhaler® DPI product is 0.580 kg CO2e*.1 To reach carbon neutrality, the remaining emissions – which cannot be avoided – are offset by supporting projects that reduce green-house-gas (GHG) emissions elsewhere, such as reforestation and forest protection programmes. At the same time constant improvement of our own operations will continue.
As the first pharmaceutical company producing inhalers to make such an announcement publicly, Orion hopes that this important initiative prompts more concrete climate action in the industry.
*CO2 EQUIVALENT (CO2e) is the universal unit for measuring the global warming potential (GWP) of various greenhouse gases, expressed in terms of the GWP of one unit of carbon dioxide.3 Figures are commonly reported in kilograms (kg CO2e).
1. Carbon life cycle assessment report for Orion Corporation, Orion Pharma. Executive summary. Carbon Footprint Ltd 2021. Available at: https://www.orion.fi/en/Sustainability/stories-about-responsibility/inhaler-environmental-footprint/