Santen has unveiled plans to launch the first bio-based plastic eye drop bottle in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region as part of its zero-carbon commitment.
The plastic element of the bottles is made from a sugar cane-derived material called I'm green Polyethylene. This uses natural resources while maintaining the structural integrity of traditional plastic thus ensuring the medication is stable and reaches the patient in perfect condition. The bottles were introduced in Japan in June ’21, followed by EMEA in early 2023.
Santen’s efforts towards a more sustainable future are outlined in its new Santen Vision for the Earth 2050 and represent a core component of its new long-term vision – Santen 2030. Santen aspires to be a “Social Innovator” in ophthalmology by offering products and services that make a difference to society, including to positively impact the environment, while supporting the ophthalmology community it serves. The new eye drop bottles are being introduced for three products initially with hopes to expand further.
Takahiro Morita, corporate officer, core principle and CSR Promotion, said: “To achieve Santen’s Vision for the Earth 2050, we have three environmental targets for 2030, which consists of contribution to a carbon-free society, conservation of limited resources including water and reduction of plastic use. The introduction of the biomass plastic bottle is part of our efforts to achieve our Vision. Santen is committed to strengthening the business foundation for its sustainable growth with full recognition that conserving the global environment is one of the most important challenges.”
Santen Vision for the Earth 2050 was launched earlier in 2021, setting Science Based Targets to reduce CO2 emissions. Santen’s mid- to long-term CO2 emission reduction targets aim to achieve the Paris Climate Agreement’s goal to “limit the global temperature increase to well below 2°C, and preferably to 1.5°C, above preindustrial levels.”
Luis Iglesias, president and head of Santen EMEA, said: “COP26 is focusing all our minds on how we are combatting climate change. We all need to play our part in reducing the impact on the planet and we are very proud to lead the way in the sector by introducing this biomass plastic bottle. The new bottle contributes to an incremental improvement over fossil fuel-based plastics, although we recognise it is just the start. There is much more to do to reduce our impact on the environment and we will take a forward-thinking view to innovate and evolve our operations to meet these demands.”