The Promise of Biotechnology for a Greener Industry
In honor of Earth Day, we explore the crucial role of biotechnology in forging a greener path for our planet, as well as some of the companies paving the way for sustainability in biotechnology.
This April, as we observe Earth Day, let's reflect on our industry's past environmental impact and its current work to minimize future harm. Biotech organizations around the world are working to develop new, effective solutions, while simultaneously finding ways to reduce waste, harmful chemicals, and reach net zero for carbon emissions.
In this article, we will explore some of the technologies that have been developed to help the biotech industry become more environmentally conscious, and learn about some start-ups that are spearheading sustainability efforts.
Supporting Sustainability with Biotech Advancements
Biotechnology offers innovative solutions across several key environmental sectors, including renewable energy production, greenhouse gas mitigation, and the development of sustainable materials. This is an ongoing process, and we expect to see further growth in this area in the next few years.
Making Clean Energy Accessible & Affordable
One promising area where biotechnology is making significant contributions is Biofuels, which can be traced back to ancient times, and are a great solution for sustainable energy. Although it is an older energy source, many advancements were made in the biofuel space during the industrial revolution.
Biofuels are produced from renewable biological sources called biomass, which can include agricultural waste, plants, used cooking oils and fats, other wastes, and more. Ideally, since many of these sources, such as plants, absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere as they grow, the released carbon dioxide when burning should be equivalent to the amount absorbed. This would help us achieve close to net zero from fuel.
In comparison, traditional fossil fuel uses sources that have been stored underground for millions of years, ultimately creating an increase in atmospheric CO2, which is detrimental to climate change effects.
Additionally, biofuels are renewable, in comparison to fossil fuels that are finite. We are able to regrow plants relatively quickly, ideally creating an unlimited fuel source. Although there are many positives to biofuels, some of the barriers include the discussion of whether crops are more effectively delegated to food or fuel, the need for land for plant growth, potential deforestation, high production costs, water usage, and more.
Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Biotechnology plays a vital role in carbon capture, which is the process of trapping and storing carbon dioxide to remove it from our atmosphere. Biotechnology has seen advancements in this field with the development of bioengineered microorganisms like bacteria and algae to optimize their natural abilities to absorb carbon dioxide at higher rates, and convert it into useful compounds.
Researchers have also developed genetic modifications to plants through biotechnology in order to enhance their ability to manage greenhouse gases. Some examples of this include giving them stronger photosynthetic capabilities and deeper root systems to increase carbon sequestration in soil.
Similarly to biofuels, carbon capture has been met with some resistance for a variety of reasons. People have raised concerns with the high costs, specifically in research, development & infrastructure. Additionally, although this provides a way to get carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere, there is a potential for seepage and leakage into groundwater, or back into the atmosphere.
Biotech Sector's Focus on Environmental Sustainability
Green Elephant Biotech
Founded in 2021, Green Elephant Biotech is working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the healthcare sector, in order to create a sustainable and efficient future for people and the planet. They do so by utilizing plant-based plastic in the manufacturing of their products.
On their website, they state that there is 5.5 million tons of lab plastic produced every year, and that ambient air pollution in 2019 was estimated to be responsible for 4.2 million premature deaths. They are utilizing their sustainable products to create a biotechnology and healthcare environment where these numbers are significantly decreased.
Roche
Awarded a silver medal from the EcoVadis sustainability rating agency in 2025, Roche has a long history of commitment to sustainability. They are working towards reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2045, and are committed to minimizing environmental impact.
On their site, they list three key areas where they feel they can have the most impact in sustainability: access to innovation and health impact for all, people, and environment. They also aim to minimize the environmental impact of their products at every stage of development.
Eisai Co,. Ltd
Eisai Co., Ltd. demonstrates a strong commitment to environmental sustainability through various initiatives. The company has set the ambitious goals of reaching carbon neutrality by 2040 and net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045.
Through energy conservation, renewable energy sources, and effective waste management, they are actively working to reduce their environmental impact by decreasing greenhouse gas emissions. They also focus on preventing environmental pollution through the proper management of chemical substances and promoting biodiversity conservation in their operational areas.
Getinge’s Commitment to Sustainability Initiatives
Getinge has a long-standing commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. We are committed to becoming a net-zero company by 2050, and focus sustainability on three main pillars: innovation, responsibility, and engagement. Additionally, we are supporters of the UN Global Compact, evaluate our sustainability performance through EcoVadis, and support all 17 of the UN Sustainability Goals.
Sustainability at HPNE, a Getinge Company
At High Purity New England, a Getinge Company (HPNE), we are constantly striving to innovate. This innovation extends past creating new, efficient bioprocess solutions to finding ways to upgrade our own processes to reduce our environmental footprint. We have previously explored all of the ways we strive to be eco-conscious at our facilities in our article “Practicing Environmental Responsibility at HPNE”.
We are a proud distributor of the CellScrew® Adherent Cell Expansion System from Green Elephant Biotech, which is sustainably made, and reduces plastic waste by 90% compared to conventional multilayer flasks. As mentioned in the section above, they are manufactured with plant-based PLA bioplastics. It is the ideal solution for sustainable vaccine manufacturing, drug screening and development, adherent cell expansion, and more.
For more information on HPNE’s product portfolio, and how we are working to create a more environmentally conscious biotechnology industry, visit our website, or reach out to an expert at info@hp-ne.com.
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About HPNE
As the industry needs grow, High Purity New England, Inc. continues to supply the biopharmaceutical industry with a range of innovative products, from drug discovery and development to fill-finish, including their flagship product, custom single-use assemblies, as well as pumps, sensors, bioreactor systems, storage and handling solutions and other single-use solutions. Along with their own manufactured products for the global market, they are also a distributor for more than 18 brands in North America.
