Novo Nordisk Launches 'Carbon Neutral Pen Trace' Circular Partnership Initiative at CIIE to Advance 'Circular for Zero' Strategy and Support China's Dual Carbon Goals

SHANGHAI, Nov. 7, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- During the fourth China International Import Expo (CIIE), Novo Nordisk shared for the first time the positive progress made in its three-year plan for the Greater China region, formulated based on its global environmental strategy "Circular for Zero." Leveraging the extensive platform provided by the CIIE, the company also launched the "Carbon-Neutral Penprints" recycling initiative.

Focus on "Circular Products", Explore Innovative Partnership Models

Developing a circular economy is a crucial pathway to achieving the "Dual Carbon" goals. In active response to the requirements of the "14th Five-Year Plan" regarding accelerating the green transformation of development models, Novo Nordisk is advancing across its entire industrial chain to enhance resource utilization efficiency. The newly launched "Carbon Neutral Penprint" initiative aims to recruit local partners from multiple sectors, including environmental NGOs, renewable resource recycling, and industrial design, who share the same commitment to circular development. This program seeks to facilitate the exchange of advanced circular economy practices and technologies between China and Denmark, jointly explore innovative models for recyclability and reuse, and develop sustainable solutions. Contact Email for Recruitment:yanl@novonordisk.com 。

In 2019, Novo Nordisk launched the "Circular for Zero" global environmental strategy, setting the ambition of "zero environmental impact" and planning to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. "Circular products" are an integral part of the "Circular for Zero" strategy. At its Danish headquarters, Novo Nordisk sorts and crushes scrap materials from the production process to enable their reuse. In a pilot project at the headquarters, the company partnered with collaborators to transform the sorted plastic and glass into chairs and lighting fixtures, respectively. Looking ahead, Novo Nordisk plans to launch initiatives targeting pre-filled insulin injection devices in more countries and regions^®recycling program, perfecting the "closed loop" for injection device recycling.

Durable Chairs Made from Novo Nordisk Injection Pen Waste

Regarding the global progress of the "Circular for Zero" strategy, the company achieved its target of powering 100% of its global production facilities with renewable energy in 2020, and plans to achieve zero carbon dioxide emissions across all operations and transport by 2030.

“Zero-Contamination Circulation” Greater China Region's Three-Year Plan Shows Encouraging Progress: Synergy Across the Entire Value Chain Enhances Efficiency, Driving Green and Low-Carbon Development

In 2020, Novo Nordisk Greater China established a dedicated green team, formulated a three-year "Circular Zero Pollution" plan, and steadily advanced a series of practical and effective energy-saving and emission-reduction initiatives.

Over the past year, all segments of Novo Nordisk’s Greater China value chain, encompassing R&D, operations, and production, have implemented the concept of green and low-carbon development, taking concrete actions to support the "Dual Carbon" goals. In 2020, Novo Nordisk’s Greater China operations fully transitioned to renewable energy. As one of the first companies in China to completely shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy, Novo Nordisk’s Tianjin production facility achieved its 100% renewable energy target in 2016.

Furthermore, through the deployment of an intelligent energy monitoring system and the continuous exploration of new technologies and materials, the Tianjin manufacturing site has strengthened its energy and water conservation management. In 2020, it saved a total of 1,100 MWh of electricity and achieved a 27% reduction in water consumption, amounting to 60,000 tons. Meanwhile, the Novo Nordisk China Research & Development Center has actively promoted the informatization and digitalization of R&D to improve resource utilization efficiency and reduce energy consumption. For instance, the implementation of a full-lifecycle Biosample Tracking System has enhanced resource utilization, while facilitating data sharing on the drug discovery platform has gradually reduced the use of high-power storage systems, thereby further decreasing energy consumption.

Zhou Xiaping, Senior Vice President of Novo Nordisk and President of Novo Nordisk Greater China, stated: “Sustainability is a key focus of the CIIE. We are pleased to share Novo Nordisk's innovative sustainability initiatives on this international platform. Guided by the triple bottom line, Novo Nordisk is committed to conducting business in a manner that is economically, socially, and environmentally responsible. Under the 'Circular for Zero' strategy and supported by the clear roadmap of our Greater China three-year plan, we will accelerate the implementation of our targets, foster collaboration across the entire value chain, and fully promote green and low-carbon development, contributing to the realization of the 'dual carbon' goals.”