Thermo Fisher Scientific, a life-sciences solutions provider, has improved the sustainability credentials of its biologics therapy manufacturing services by leveraging plant-based materials — as opposed to fossil fuels — to craft biobased films for its single-use technology bioprocessing containers (BPCs).
The biobased films expand the company’s existing film range, which includes Aegis and CX.
Consistency and sustainability
With this novel biobased film, customers can maintain consistency in their BPCs whilst reducing greenhouse gas emissions; this is due to the ability to eliminate the need for plastic resin.
The films have earned International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS status, and biopharma manufacturers can pre-purchase these films to incorporate into up or downstream cycles by early 2025.
"Biopharma manufacturers are focused on maximising productivity, accelerating time-to-market and generating efficiencies all while improving the overall sustainability of their operations,” said President of Thermo Fisher’s single-use technologies business, Ray Mercier. “Our biobased films allow customers to reduce their environmental impact without having to validate new BPCs, helping them bring treatments to patients faster while also helping to protect the planet.”
Environmentally conscious disposal options
In addition to the more sustainable biobased film offering, Thermo Fisher can connect customers with recyclers, ensuring BPCs can be disposed of responsibly after use.
This programme assists biopharma manufacturers in diverting waste from landfill or incineration. From this process, the BPCs will become high-quality plastic lumber, ready to be used again.
President of Thermo Fisher Scientific’s bioproduction business, Daniella Cramp, added: “We are reengineering the way we design, produce, package and ship our products to reduce the environmental impacts of our industry, without compromising the quality and performance our customers expect from us. With our biobased solutions, we are taking a step toward a cleaner bioproduction process with less waste and — ultimately — helping enable our customers to achieve their sustainability goals.”