Sustainable pharmaceutical production at Takeda

Start of construction for innovative NEFI project AHEAD

Vienna - Takeda, the pharmaceutical company headquartered in Japan, is a pioneer in innovative and responsibly produced medicines. In the fields of sustainability and environmental protection, new technologies are constantly being investigated and implemented in order to achieve the ambitious corporate goals. These include achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions at Takeda's sites by 2035 and net-zero greenhouse gas emissions along the entire value chain by 2040. Takeda is a member of the Science Based Targets Initiative, in which sustainability goals and measures of the companies are monitored in a scientifically sound and comprehensible manner. A major milestone on the way to Net-Zero is the innovative project AHEAD (Advanced Heat Pump Demonstrator) at Takeda's production site in Vienna. AHEAD's pioneering technology creates an environmentally friendly solution for the CO₂-free steam supply of industrial processes that is unique in this form. The project AHEAD has been selected by NIM - The Net-Zero Industries Mission as the Net-Zero Industries Award 2023 National Winner - Austria in the category 'Outstanding Projects'.

The flagship project AHEAD

In 2022, Takeda launched the AHEAD research project together with the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, which is funded by the Climate and Energy Fund (Klima- und Energiefonds) and carried out as part of the "NEFI – New Energy for Industry" research initiative as part of the Austrian innovation offensive "Vorzeigeregion Energie". Construction of AHEAD started in June 2024 and was celebrated with the insertion of a time capsule on the construction site.

Harald Erös, AHEAD project manager at Takeda, reports: "The planning phase of the project has officially been completed with the insertion of the time capsule and the construction phase is underway. We are proud to open up new paths for sustainable development throughout the industry with AHEAD."

Takeda focuses on community environmental protection

Maria Löflund, Head of Takeda's production sites in Vienna, explains: "The technological showcase project AHEAD should serve as a practical example for the entire pharmaceutical industry and also for many other industrial companies and sectors. Sustainability is a joint task."

The steam-generating heat pump from AHEAD represents a groundbreaking innovation, as it is operated exclusively with 100 percent natural refrigerants. In combination with a steam compressor, it can achieve previously unattained heat utilisation temperatures of over 200°C. The steam supply at Takeda requires 184°C. This technologically advanced solution shows the potential to revolutionise traditional, natural gas-dependent steam generation methods and significantly reduce environmental impact. With the integration of a steam-generating heat pump into the industrial operation, a CO₂ reduction of up to 80 percent is aimed for at one of Takeda's largest production sites in Vienna. The ambitious project underpins Austria's leading role in high-temperature heat pump research and is intended to serve as a model for the entire pharmaceutical industry as well as other sectors. The CO₂-free energy centre at the Takeda site in Vienna, which has already gone into operation, forms the basis for AHEAD and also runs on 100 percent natural refrigerants. AHEAD is expected to go into operation in March 2025. Then the scientific monitoring of the pioneering project will start as well.

Innovative, sustainable solutions in all fields

At Takeda, every step in the production of innovative medicines takes place. Every step of the process offers potential for sustainable solutions. At Takeda, these range from large projects to smaller initiatives. In addition to the power supply through renewable energies and a comprehensive programme to reduce waste, an online monitoring system was established more than ten years ago. By collecting various data, such as water or electricity consumption, measures can be derived and supply systems optimally supported. A sustainability dashboard gives all employees continuous insight into the data in order to develop sustainable ideas. In addition to the AHEAD project, Takeda implements many other large projects and smaller initiatives in the field of sustainability. A good example of Takeda's commitment to environmental protection is the ethanol distillation project. This stands for efficient, innovative and sustainable operating processes at the production site in Vienna. The distillation process in a vacuum is so innovatively designed that it can be worked without gas combustion. This will enable completely CO₂-free operation and 90 percent reuse of the ethanol. With the ethanol distillation project, Takeda is positioning itself as a pioneer in renewable technologies in line with the sustainability goals.

Another current decarbonisation project at one of the production sites in Vienna includes various measures to reduce environmental impact, from optimising ventilation to installing a photovoltaic system. Sustainability is lived at all levels at Takeda and in many different directions. For example, the newly introduced strategic Movability Roadmap aims to make mobility practices more sustainable and reduce the company's ecological footprint. At Takeda, sustainability also extends to the lunch table: The roll-out of reusable to-go tableware creates 200 kilograms less waste per month.

About Takeda

Takeda is a world-leading, values-driven, research-based, biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Japan. Takeda's mission is to develop and produce life-enhancing and life-sustaining medicines for the treatment of rare and complex diseases. The centre of attention is the care of patients for whom no or only a few treatment options are available. At Takeda, the focus is always on commitment to patients, employees and the environment.

About Takeda in Austria

In Austria, every process step for innovative medicines takes place at Takeda: from research and development, plasma application and production to patient care. Around 4,500 employees help to ensure that medicines from Austria reach over 100 countries worldwide and that patients in Austria have access to Takeda's innovative medicines. The Austrian product portfolio helps patients in the areas of oncology, rare metabolic diseases, gastroenterology and immunology, amongst others. Takeda has also been recognised as a certified Top Employer for its outstanding employee experience and commitment to inclusion, and is a pioneer in sustainable and responsible drug manufacturing.   

Link to the OTS-Press release (in German)