AstraZeneca & Future Biogas: Renewable Energy in Healthcare
Pharmaceutical industry pioneer AstraZeneca and renewable energy leader Future Biogas, have successfully brought online the UK's first unsubsidised biomethane plant dedicated to fuelling the life sciences sector. This innovative facility, located in Gonerby Moor, Lincolnshire is a cornerstone for innovative, sustainable energy solutions within the pharmaceutical sector.
Advancing clean pharmaceutical manufacturing
The recently inaugurated Moor Bioenergy plant is designed to deliver an impressive 100 gigawatt hours (GWh) of green energy each year directly to AstraZeneca's operations across the UK.
This energy injection provides 20% of AstraZeneca's worldwide gas needs while also significantly curbing carbon emissions—around 18,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) every year which would have been emitted from conventional fossil gas.
“We are committed to climate action and innovation in sustainability to decarbonise healthcare,” says Liz Chatwin, VP, Global Sustainability and SHE at AstraZeneca.
“By investing in unsubsidised biomethane capacity, we’re proud to contribute to reducing carbon emissions while strengthening the UK’s renewable energy infrastructure.”
Apart from its renewable energy generation, the Moor Bioenergy facility stands out by employing advanced carbon capture technologies to collect the CO₂ generated during the biomethane production process. This captured carbon dioxide can either be harnessed in various industries or stored underground permanently, establishing a comprehensive carbon removal mechanism from the atmosphere.
Strengthening local agriculture and sustainability
Local agriculture also gains from the operational ecosystem of the plant. Sourcing crops from within a 15-mile radius around Gonerby Moor, Moor Bioenergy supports local farmers by encouraging sustainable farming practices.
With five-year feedstock contracts in place, farmers are given a layer of economic stability against the backdrop of fluctuating market prices and climatic challenges.
In terms of sustainability standards, all feedstock used is certified by the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC)—an independent entity ensuring strict compliance with both environmental and social standards.
Setting a new industrial standard
"With the launch of Moor Bioenergy – the UK’s first unsubsidised biomethane facility in partnership with AstraZeneca – we are proving that innovation and bold vision can drive real change” says Philipp Lukas, CEO of Future Biogas.
“This project is not only about generating clean, renewable gas, it’s a powerful call to all companies to decarbonise industrial gas and heat use."
This collaboration also fortifies AstraZeneca's 'Ambition Zero Carbon' initiative which envisages 100% renewable energy consumption in its operations by the end of 2025 and achieving net zero emissions by 2045 based on scientific methods.
The role of biomethane
Biomethane is produced through a process of anaerobic digestion—a process where organic materials are broken down by microorganisms in an oxygen-free environment. After purifying this biogas by subtracting CO₂, the biomethane is equivalent in quality to natural gas and is ready to be piped into the national gas grid.
The agricultural crops grown for this process not only provide bioenergy but also engage in carbon capture, growing in CO₂ rich atmospheres which are later transformed into biogas. Post-process, the remaining material serves as an organic fertilizer, promoting carbon capture in soil and supporting sustainable agricultural methodologies.
Pioneering a future of green pharmaceuticals
With the Moor Bioenergy plant now operational, AstraZeneca firmly establishes itself as a front-runner in adopting biomethane for pharmaceutical manufacturing in the UK, setting a precedent for others in the industry.
This initiative not only proves the feasibility of unsubsidised biomethane production but also exemplifies how synergistic partnerships can advance our collective sustainability agenda.
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