Brendan McGrath
Ireland Site Head and VP of Manufacturing, WuXi Biologics
Dr Eimear McCarron
Senior Director of Quality, WuXi Biologics
Gene Russell
Senior Director of Engineering, WuXi Biologics
With a commitment to environmentally responsible practices, while driving biopharma innovation, WuXi Biologics Ireland’s Senior Director of Engineering Gene Russell explains the company’s focus on sustainability.
How does the company follow sustainable practices in its overall business?
Gene Russell (GR): In 2023, WuXi Biologics committed to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and has made strong progress in tackling climate change and reducing carbon emissions. Since 2020, the company has achieved a 29% intensity reduction of its Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse emissions through carbon and energy-saving measures with further projects planned to achieve the group’s — and Ireland’s — long-term targets of 50% reduction by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050.
How does the site follow sustainable practices in line with group strategy and Ireland regulations?
GR: The company has integrated sustainability into its operations, aligning with Ireland’s Climate Action Plan and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Company efforts include reducing energy consumption, promoting sustainable resource use throughout the manufacturing process and implementing sustainable supply chain practices. These are core to our company priorities both short and long-term, which are championed by engineering SMEs, supported by initiatives throughout the site and progress routinely cascaded through the organisation.
We ensure sustainability initiatives are
measurable and effective by adopting
international environmental frameworks.
What are the major sustainable practices at the Dundalk site?
GR: We have launched several initiatives to address energy efficiency, waste management and carbon neutrality. High-efficiency energy systems, including advanced building management technologies, have been installed to optimise electricity and heating usage. Projects for energy consumption/carbon emission include the identification and implementation of feasible energy to reduce dependency on natural gas; use of renewable electricity sources and biofuels; implementation of waste segregation and recycling programmes to divert waste from landfills; and carbon offset programmes.
Green transportation policies encourage electric vehicle use (with on-site EV charger installations and newly launched car share scheme) and reduce travel-related emissions. Single-use technology (SUT) in manufacturing has led to 70% water savings versus comparable stainless-steel technology. Waste reduction achievements include 100% recovery of solid hazardous and non-hazardous waste; 0% waste sent to the landfills; and rainwater harvesting savings of over 16x million litres. Further works around the areas of solar power, wind energy, WWPT (wastewater pre-treatment plant) and reforestation are currently in consideration and evaluation.
How do you measure and ensure impactful sustainability efforts?
GR: We ensure sustainability initiatives are measurable and effective by adopting international environmental frameworks. The site has been on the journey since 2022/2023 and achieved energy/environment-related ISO 14001 and ISO 50001 certifications. Through energy-saving technologies and waste-reduction strategies, WuXi Biologics Ireland is paving the way for a greener future in biopharma.
