Sustainability

Sustainability is key to Bachem, and one of its five strategic foundations. We take responsibility towards our employees, the society, and the environment. Convinced that ethically correct behavior and integrity are essential for long-term business success we continuously monitor and improve our social, economic, and environmental performance by operating a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) management system.

Bachem’s effort to improve its CSR performance is aligned with the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) most relevant to our business. Our Code of Conduct and the topics regarded as material reveal that Bachem supports diverse SDG with a focus on the following four.

SDG 3: ENSURE HEALTHY LIVES AND PROMOTE WELL-BEING FOR ALL AT ALL AGES

As we provide a full range of services to the pharma and biotech industries, specializing in the development of innovative, efficient manufacturing processes and the reliable production of active pharmaceutical ingredients, we enable our customers, in a spirit of partnership, to improve health and increase life expectancy.

SDG 4: ENSURE INCLUSIVE AND EQUITABLE QUALITY EDUCATION AND PROMOTE LIFELONG LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL

Our performance is predicated on very high educational achievements of the workforce at every level. In addition to the professional qualifications acquired through a vocational apprenticeship or university degree programs, the company attaches great importance to providing employees with training and continuing education. We increase the number of youths and adults who have relevant skills for employment and entrepreneurship.

SDG 8: PROMOTE SUSTAINED, INCLUSIVE AND SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH,
FULL AND PRODUCTIVE EMPLOYMENT AND DECENT WORK FOR ALL

Bachem is fully committed to improving its triple bottom line in an accounting framework with social, environmental and financial aspects. We are, however, also aware that the economic performance achieved together with our customers is the driving force behind sustainable development. The company therefore puts a strong focus on continuous growth through innovation, creating attractive jobs in a safe and secure working environment, and contributing to the regional economies operated within. This is achieved by taking an active role in positively benefiting employees, families, customers, suppliers, and communities influencing or being affected by the organization.

SDG 12: ENSURE SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION PATTERNS

Bachem aims to contribute to the overall goal of decoupling economic growth from adverse impacts on human health and the environment. The safety of employees and the surrounding communities is consequently of fundamental interest to Bachem. This includes a sound management of chemicals, reducing their release to air, water and soil as well as the reduction of waste generated.

Continuous Improvement

The CEC annually approves a plan, defining to what extent Bachem’s CSR performance shall be improved. Areas for improvement are based on an in-depth materiality analysis. Views of customers, shareholders, employees and auditors were taken into account and topics were identified where the present and future economic, environmental, and social impacts of the organization and its value chain are significant.
On a group-wide scale, Bachem has committed to making measurable improvements in four key areas:
• Energy Consumption: Reduce in energy consumption per FTE by 20% by 2026 (base year 2020)
• Occupational Health & Safety: Reduce Lost Time Incident Rate to ≤ 1.0 by 2026
• Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Halve GHG emissions per FTE by 2026 (base year 2020) and achieve climate neutrality by 2030
• Diversity and Equal Opportunity: Increase proportion of women in workforce & management by 10% by 2026 (base year 2020) and reflect the local communities we are part of in Bachem’s workforce

Sustainability Reporting

Bachem integrates non-financial sustainability information in its Annual Report, prepared in accordance with the GRI Standards. The GRI Content Index can be downloaded by clicking on the corresponding link.
The Bachem group has been awarded a platin medal rating for sustainability by EcoVadis, putting it among the 2% most sustainable companies assessed and among the top 1% of companies rated by EcoVadis in the manufacture of basic pharmaceutical products and pharmaceutical preparations industry. The rating recognizes Bachem’s performance in areas such as the environment, sustainable procurement, ethics as well as labor and human rights. Bachem reports with the Carbon Disclosure Project and, as a member of the United Nations Global Compact, on their corresponding Communication on Progress (CoP). Please check our webinar section and our showroom for more information about sustainability.

SUSTAINABLE PROCUREMENT

Procurement is one of the key contributors to sustainability. One of our long-term goals is to increase sustainability transparency throughout our supply chain. In alignment with the expectations of our executive management, customers, and other stakeholders to manage our business responsibly, we monitor social and environmental performance in our supply chain.

 

Bachem Global Code of Conduct (CoC) for Supplying Partners

It is one of our main sustainability ambitions to realize opportunities for sustainable development through our procurement activities. Our supplying partners are essential companions on the journey towards fulfilling this mission. Bachem’s Sustainable Procurement approach is governed by the Bachem Global Code of Conduct (CoC) for Supplying Partners. It is based on international standards and encompasses fundamental commitments and the minimum set of ethical standards we follow in our business practices, and Bachem expects its partners to meet. Partners who are being evaluated within the framework of Bachem’s vendor qualification program are requested to sign the CoC for Supplying Partners. Also, it is a binding document listed in our General Terms and Conditions to which every purchase order placed by Bachem refers.
The guidelines and principles stated in our Sustainable Procurement Commitment aim to enhance sustainability in procurement by adopting and incorporating Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) principles into our procurement processes and decisions while ensuring that the requirements of our organization and our stakeholders are met. In combination with Bachem’s Global Code of Conduct for Supplying Partners, this Commitment ensures that procurement activities are based on collaborative relationships that create sustainable value for all stakeholders.

 

Global Code of Conduct for Supplying Partners

Sustainable Procurement Commitment

Responsible sourcing of palm oil

Bachem is aware that the cultivation and production of palm oil and palm kernel oil poses environmental and social risks. We see demanding and supporting environmentally friendly and socially responsible palm (kernel) oil production as an inherent part of a CSR-complying economy. Thus, Bachem is a member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). Our manufacturing site in Bubendorf (CH) is certified against the RSPO Supply Chain Certification Standard (supply chain model Mass Balance). This allows Bachem to handle sustainable palm (kernel) oil derivatives via physical supply chains.

People &
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Safeguarding
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Acting
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