Concerns about energy costs and environmental sustainability have created new pressures for all industries, including pharma, and Mantecorp has responded by installing the CC-Link system.
The technology, which is being used in conjunction with Mitsubishi Electric controls, is serving as the supervisory control and data acquisition system for the 3.3m sq ft facility.
Using the technology enables communication and control of the site’s major systems. These include the air conditioning, refrigeration, energy management, filtration and water handling, steam and air sterilisation.
By linking sensors in these systems, drives, valves, actuators and other devices to an automated control system conditions can be monitored and automatically adjusted to ensure an optimal operating environment.
By using this technology Charles Lukasik, director of the CC-Link Partner Association, believes the facility achieves “a new level of economic and environmental sustainability through the optimum utilisation of air, water, heat, and power”.
Pharma’s green initiatives
Numerous companies in the pharma industry are attempting to adjust operations to reduce their environmental impact. These measures include making more efficient use of energy and altering manufacturing processes to make them more sustainable.
For instance, Millipore has set a five-year goal of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 20 per cent. To achieve this Millipore has launched a programme to improve efficiency, install and purchase renewable energy and ensure employees are aware of their role.
In addition research is being conducted into green solvents, catalysts and desiccants that will not cause harm if they enter the wider environment.
Big pharma’s position towards the top of the recent Climate Counts’ survey suggests that these measures appear to be having some effect.