Ayming and ERM to build a supply chain consortium for green solvent manufacturing for pharmaceuticals

London, 17 January 2025: Ayming and ERM have been awarded Innovate UK funding as part of the Sustainable Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Programme to build a supply chain consortium for green solvents.

Why solvents and why now?

Solvents have the highest aggregate Greenhouse Gas (GHG) impact of any group of raw materials for most small-molecule pharmaceutical manufacturers and are often significant for many consumer goods and cosmetics companies. Many also have other negative impacts, such as toxicity.

Water-based solvent flow chemistry solutions are being developed, and the pharmaceutical industry is working on solvent recovery and reuse solutions. Still, these will not reduce the GHG emissions necessary to achieve Net Zero by 2050 or before. Solvents produced using green chemistry and bio-based or recycled carbon will be required. Today, very limited volumes of sustainable solvents are available to the pharmaceutical industry.

Building for Grand Challenge Funding

This seed funding will support the development of a consortium and identify barriers to scaling up and integrating green solvents in sustainable medicine manufacturing. Its primary outcome will be to prepare a case for Grand Challenge funding in the Summer of 2025. The Grand Challenge phase of the Sustainable Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Programme provides large-scale collaborative research and development awards of up to £10 million, involving at least three partners in the medicines manufacturing supply chain. Only recipients of the initial seed funding are invited to apply for this Grand Challenge phase.

ERM and Ayming are now building this Grand Challenge consortium and welcome interest from:

Medicine manufactures producing medicines for the NHS;
Companies outside the medicines industry using significant volumes of solvents and investing in reducing Scope 3 emissions from purchased raw materials;
Specialists in green chemistry and chemical producers;
Technology developers and producers of renewable and recycled chemicals and solvent alternatives who are actively assessing/identifying market opportunities for sustainable solvent use;
Research and Technology Organisations (RTOs) and universities focused on advancing sustainable manufacturing and high-value supply chain innovations;
Renewable feedstock producers;
And supply chain solutions innovators.

Bringing together ERM’s expertise in sustainability consulting and Ayming’s proven track record in innovation funding, this partnership is uniquely positioned to tackle the complex challenges of decarbonising pharmaceutical manufacturing. Through funding from Innovate UK, the companies aim to accelerate the adoption of low-carbon solutions, setting new benchmarks for sustainability within the sector.

ENDS

About ERM

As the world’s largest specialist sustainability consultancy, ERM partners with clients to operationalize sustainability at pace and scale, deploying a unique combination of strategic transformation and technical delivery capabilities. With more than 50 years of experience, ERM’s diverse team of 8000+ experts in 40 countries and territories helps clients create innovative solutions to their sustainability challenges, unlocking commercial opportunities that meet the needs of today while preserving opportunity for future generations.

About Innovate UK

Innovate UK is creating a better future by inspiring, involving and investing in businesses developing life-changing innovations.

About Ayming

As a professional services company, Ayming partners with businesses and institutions around the world to unlock lasting value, year after year. Translating complex policy into opportunities, while managing the transformation that comes with growth.

Our team is over 1,300 experts in Innovation, HR, Taxes and ESG. We have specialised knowledge and decades of experience in international and local policy across 14 countries. Our premium services create new possibilities for investment. And our approach goes beyond consulting, collaborating in the field with clients of all sizes and sectors. So we can deliver tangible results driven by trust – now and for years to come.