iPR Pharmaceuticals, part of AstraZeneca, became the first pharmaceutical company in Puerto Rico to receive Renewable Liquified Natural Gas (RNLG) from landfill to fuel its cogeneration plant.
“In powering our cogenerator with RLNG, we firmly continue our path to reduce our carbon footprint as part of our commitment to achieve greater sustainability. AstraZeneca is taking bold action on climate because we recognize the connection between healthy people and a healthy planet,” said Sara Miranda, President and General Manager of iPR Pharmaceuticals.
iPR secured the RNLG supply from gases generated by the natural biodegradation processes occurring in the Humacao Landfill. Production of Renewable Liquified Natural Gas from the methane generated at the Humacao landfill has the goal of reducing landfill emissions by 90% and replacing fossil fuels and fossil resources. It is the only renewable domestically produced gas in Puerto Rico and provides a more secure energy future for the island.
The use of RNLG will further reduce the company’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Puerto Rico, on-route to achieve AstraZeneca’s Ambition Zero Carbon. The Company is on track to reduce GHG emissions from its global operations and fleet (Scope 1 and 2) by 98% by 2026 (from a 2015 baseline). AstraZeneca aims to halve its entire value chain footprint (Scope 3) by 2030, on the way to a 90% absolute emissions reduction (from a 2019 baseline) and become science-based net zero by 2045 at the latest.
AstraZeneca was one of the first seven companies globally to have its net zero targets verified by the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) Corporate Net-Zero Standard. Through AZ Forest, AstraZeneca will invest in high-quality, nature-based solutions to remove residual emissions not eliminated, reduced, or substituted (no greater than 10% of 2019 emissions footprint).
In Puerto Rico, the Company’s decarbonization journey started in 2018 when the site inaugurated the first cogenerator plant fueled by LNG in Puerto Rico and continued with an addition of a first phase of a photovoltaic solar field installed and operating since 2022.
In 2022, AstraZeneca was included in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI) World and Europe indices. The DJSI is the longest standing global sustainability benchmark system for companies.
Environmental and Safety Awards
As part of its overall commitment to sustainability, the company was recognized for its safety performance. The Puerto Rico Manufacturers Association awarded it the “Best Practice Award” for its Occupational Health or Safety Initiatives as a standard of excellence to be used as a reference by other peers. This award is granted by its peers.
In addition, it received the:
- Distinguished Safety Performance Award for being the “organization with a recordable injury and illness frequency rate that is 90% or more below the average frequency rate for its specific type of industrial operation.”
- And the Meritorious Improvement Award for evidencing a “25% or more reduction in the total rate of recordable incidents during the calendar year, in comparison with the previous year.”
“Our people’s safety is an integral part of our pursuit for sustainability,” added Miranda.
About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries, and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. For more information, please visit www.astrazeneca-us.com and follow us on Twitter @AstraZenecaUS.
Contact: Lisette Núñez
787-406-3606