Cytiva shines as a model of sustainable principles in the dynamic field of life sciences, where pioneering innovation intersects with societal responsibility.At the forefront of their sustainability endeavours is Ryan Walker, the Programme Leader for Sustainability, guiding the company towards more environmentally conscious horizons. In this exclusive discussion with BioPharma BoardRoom, Ryan delves into Cytiva's voyage towards phasing out polystyrene, embracing renewable energy sources, and nurturing a ethos of eco-conscious practices. From grassroots initiatives to strategic alliances, Cytiva epitomises how sustainability seamlessly intertwines with business imperatives, leaving an enduring impact on both the sector and the globe.

Ryan Walker, Sustainability Program Leader at Cytiva

Can you provide more insight into Cytiva’ s efforts to eliminate polystyrene and transition to reusable or recyclable solutions? How has this initiative progressed, and what challenges have you encountered along the way?

The idea to eliminate polystyrene came from a company-wide competition where associates submitted ideas about how we can better realize sustainability. A local team in Tauranga, New Zealand submitted this great idea to improve our packaging materials, and we immediately knew this was something we wanted to make global. But first, we had some work to do.

Any change in packaging couldn’t compromise the quality of our products, so it was critical that we find the right partner. Many of our products and solutions must be shipped in material that can maintain specific temperatures. After a thorough search we started working with TemperPack, a leading provider of cold chain packaging, who shares our commitment to sustainability. Once we confirmed the new thermal liners would meet and exceed temperature requirements for our products, we began developing plans to roll out this program globally. (Just recently, we’ve begun using the new packaging materials in our Uppsala distribution site.) By the end of this year, we expect to eliminate approximately 80% of the polystyrene in our packaging with a goal of reaching 100% by the end of 2025.  That’s 60,000 polystyrene boxes eliminated from landfills each year. When you have a great idea like this one, it’s easy to get your fellow associates excited.                                  

Cytiva has made significant strides in using renewable electricity to power its sites. Could you elaborate on the company's journey towards achieving this goal, including any innovative approaches or partnerships that have facilitated this transition?

One of our main sustainability goals is to have all global manufacturing sites on 100% renewable energy by the end of 2025. Right now, we are at ~90% and plan to have >95% by the end of 2024. We have expanded solar energy at many of our sites and our site in Umeå, Sweden, is our first site that is fossil-fuel free. We are also building a new manufacturing facility in Muskegon, Michigan from a brownfield site. At this site, we have entered into a PPA (power purchase agreement) where we purchase renewable energy from a company that supports the building of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind. This is new renewable electricity being added to the grid, known as additionality which is a bolder commitment to renewables. We are finding creative ways at each site to meet our sustainability goals. 

How does Cytiva ensure that its sustainability initiatives align with its broader business strategy and objectives? In what ways do these efforts contribute to the company's overall mission and values?

As part of the Danaher Corporation, we participate and contribute to the goals of our parent company and our sister Operating Companies. Our mission at Cytiva is to advance and accelerate the development of novel therapeutics and our vision is a world where access to life-changing therapies transforms human health. Our mission and vision align with good health and well-being. It is our responsibility to conduct our business in a sustainable way. We want to accelerate our sustainability journey because it is the right thing to do for our business, the planet, and for the patients who depend on Cytiva’s products and solutions.

With sustainability becoming increasingly important in the life sciences industry, how does Cytiva differentiate itself from competitors in terms of its environmental stewardship and commitment to eco-friendly practices?

Sustainability is a great unifier in the life sciences industry. The planet doesn’t care if only one of us works toward sustainability targets – it takes partners across the entire supply chain. We must work with our customers, suppliers, and our competitors to further the industry’s focus on climate change. 

At Cytiva sustainability is at the heart of our business and our “Designing in Sustainability” strategy is our plan for impact. One key initiative is our focus on ecodesign where we incorporate sustainability at every part of the product lifecycle. From sourcing materials all the way through to the product’s recyclability, our team is engaged in manufacturing our products sustainably without compromising quality. Another area of intense focus is decarbonization. By 2025, 100% of our manufacturing sites are targeted to be powered by renewable electricity. 

Cytiva has also received a platinum rating from EcoVadis in 2023 and 2022, putting us in the Top 1% of all rated organizations and is a proud supporter of the United Nations Global Compact.  

Can you share any specific examples or case studies of how Cytiva's sustainability initiatives have positively impacted the environment, communities, or the company's bottom line?

Another great initiative from our associate innovation program came from our Uppsala, Sweden site. In less than a year, a group of associates showed we could save 30% water consumption in production processes, while at the same time increase manufacturing capacity with substantial business benefits. They did this by increasing the number of resin washings and reducing the amount of water in each washing cycle – much like what we want when washing clothes. More efficient water consumption led to a 15% increase in manufacturing capacity. A win for the environment was also a win for our business. 

People are an important part of our sustainability initiative at Cytiva. In 2021, we started a multi-year partnership with the Biomedical Science Careers Program (BSCP), an organization working to increase the representation of minorities and disadvantaged individuals in the life sciences industry and others. Our partnership covers four pillars of engagement: internships and mentorship, expansion through IT revitalization, scholarship, and programmatic support. These pillars include employee engagement opportunities as well as financial support. This allows BSCP to continue to offer all elements of its program at no cost to the participants.

While more still must be done, our partnership has helped us to do the following:

• Increase the diversity within Cytiva
• Support BSCP activities for thousands of underrepresented and disadvantaged students over the course of a three-year partnership
• Expand a 12-week mentored, summer internship program at Cytiva designed to enrich students’ interest in industry and healthcare life sciences-related careers

 We know it is not enough to say we want a more diverse workforce. We must support programs and provide opportunities that truly make an impact. 

Looking ahead, what are some upcoming sustainability goals or projects that Cytiva is particularly excited about? How do you envision these initiatives shaping the future of the company and the industry as a whole?

Sustainability is at the core of our business at Cytiva. I am particularly excited about our adoption of a carbon management platform. It will help us analyze our emissions across the entire value chain so we can take further actions to reduce them. Partnering more closely with our suppliers and vendors is also a top priority. Running a more sustainable business requires collaboration at every level of our organization. From our ecodesign to our shipping practices to our vendor selection, sustainability is a company-wide effort that directly aligns with our mission and vision.