Start of construction for innovative AHEAD project
Vienna (OTS) – Takeda, the pharmaceutical company headquartered in Japan, is a pioneer in innovative and responsibly produced medicines. In the areas of sustainability and environmental protection, new technologies are constantly being examined and implemented in order to achieve ambitious corporate goals. These include achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions at Takeda sites before 2035 and net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across the entire value chain by 2040. Takeda is a member of the Science Based Target Initiative, in which sustainability goals and company measures are monitored in a scientifically sound and comprehensible manner. A major milestone on the path to Net Zero is the innovative AHEAD (Advanced Heat Pump Demonstrator) project at the Takeda production site in Vienna. AHEAD’s pioneering technology creates an environmentally friendly solution for CO2-free steam supply for industrial processes that is unique in this form. The project was presented at COP28 and won the Net Zero Industries Award 2023.
The flagship project AHEAD
In 2022, Takeda launched the AHEAD research project together with the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, which is funded by the Climate and Energy Fund and carried out as part of the “NEFI – New Energy for Industry” research initiative as part of the Austrian innovation offensive “Energy Showcase Region”. Construction of AHEAD started in June 2024 and was celebrated with the insertion of a time capsule on the construction site.
Harald Erös, AHEAD project manager at Takeda, reports: “The planning phase of the project is officially completed with the insertion of the time capsule and the construction phase is underway. We are proud to be opening up new avenues for sustainable development across the industry with AHEAD.”
Takeda focuses on community environmental protection
Maria Löflund, head of the Takeda production sites in Vienna, explains: “The technological showcase project AHEAD is intended to serve as a practical example for the entire pharmaceutical industry and also for many other industrial companies and sectors. Sustainability is a shared task.”
AHEAD’s steam-generating heat pump represents a groundbreaking innovation as it runs exclusively on 100 percent natural refrigerants. In combination with a steam compressor, it can achieve previously unattainable heat utilization temperatures of over 200°C. The steam supply at Takeda requires 184°C. This technologically advanced solution shows the potential to revolutionize traditional, natural gas-dependent steam generation methods and significantly reduce environmental impact. By integrating a steam-generating heat pump into industrial operations, the aim is to achieve a CO2 reduction of up to 80 percent at one of Takeda’s largest production sites in Vienna. The ambitious project underpins Austria’s leading role in high-temperature heat pump research and is intended to serve as a model for the entire pharmaceutical industry and other sectors. The CO2-free energy center that has already gone into operation at the Takeda location in Vienna forms the basis for AHEAD and also runs on 100 percent natural refrigerants. AHEAD is expected to go into operation in March 2025. Then the scientific monitoring of the pioneering project begins.
Innovative, sustainable solutions in all areas
At Takeda, every step of the way to produce innovative medicines takes place. Every process step offers potential for sustainable solutions. At Takeda, these range from large projects to smaller initiatives. In addition to the power supply from renewable energies and a comprehensive program to reduce waste, an online monitoring system was established more than ten years ago. By collecting various data, such as water or electricity consumption, measures can be derived and supply systems can be optimally managed. A sustainability dashboard gives all employees ongoing insight into the data in order to develop sustainable ideas. In addition to the AHEAD project, Takeda is implementing many other large projects and smaller initiatives in the sustainability area. A good example of Takeda’s commitment to environmental protection is the ethanol distillation project. This stands for efficient, innovative and sustainable operating processes at the production site in Vienna. The distillation process in a vacuum is designed so innovatively that it can be worked without gas combustion. This will enable completely carbon-free operations and 90 percent reuse of ethanol. With the ethanol distillation project, Takeda is positioning itself as a pioneer in renewable technologies in line with sustainability goals.
Another current decarbonization project at one of the production sites in Vienna includes various measures to reduce environmental impacts, from optimizing ventilation to installing a photovoltaic system. At Takeda, sustainability is practiced at all levels and in many different directions. The newly introduced strategic roadmap “Movability Roadmap” aims to make mobility practices more sustainable and reduce the company’s ecological footprint. At Takeda, sustainability also extends to the lunch table: the rollout of reusable to-go reusable tableware creates 200 kilograms less waste per month.
About Takeda
Takeda is a world-leading, values-driven, research-based biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Japan. Takeda’s mission is to develop and produce life-enhancing and life-sustaining medicines for the treatment of rare and complex diseases. The focus is on caring for patients for whom there are no or only few treatment options available. At Takeda, our focus is always on commitment to patients, employees and the environment. https://www.takeda.com
About Takeda in Austria
In Austria, every step of the process for innovative medicines takes place at Takeda: from research & development, to plasma application and production, to patient care. Around 4,500 employees help ensure that medicines from Austria reach over 100 countries worldwide and that patients in Austria have access to Takeda’s innovative medicines. The Austrian product portfolio helps patients in the areas of oncology, rare metabolic diseases, gastroenterology and immunology, among others. Takeda was also recognized as a certified Top Employer for its outstanding employee experience and commitment to inclusion and is a pioneer in the area of sustainable and responsible pharmaceutical production. https://www.takeda.at
More about sustainability at Takeda: https://www.takeda.com/investors/annual-integrated-report/
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Astrid Kindler, MA
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