HAPILA extends commitment to ‘green’ energy

Gera, Germany: – High-potency active ingredient specialist CDMO HAPILA GmbH (HAPILA) has renewed its commitment to receiving its electrical power supplies from renewable sources, provided by Thüringer Energie AG (TEAG).

HAPILA has extended its energy supply contract with TEAG for a further two years, guaranteeing that all its electrical power for manufacturing of its APIs will be derived from climate-friendly European hydro-electric generation sources.

Reducing carbon footprint

HAPILA consumes some 200 Megawatt hours (MWh) annually at its API development laboratories and GMP manufacturing facilities at Gera in east-central Germany. Much of the electrical demand is created by heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) as well as vital temperature control of synthesis processes.

“While this annual consumption may not be enormous in absolute terms, it is nevertheless a significant component of our annual budget and a major determinant of our overall carbon footprint,” commented HAPILA CEO, Dr. Uwe Müller.

Renewable origin

The association with TEAG, which dates back to 2010 has been extended to 2022. Although there is an overall increase by 17 per cent in power costs over 2019, HAPILA has decided to absorb this cost in order to stay on the path towards carbon reduction and greater sustainability.

The bulk of the increase is accounted for by a raise of the energy rate and transportation costs within the energy network and an increased EEG-Umlage surcharge to fund the Feed-In Tariff (FIT) schemes designed to encourage greater renewable power generation in Germany under the Erneuerbare-Energien-Gesetz (Renewable Energy Sources Act) established in 2000.

The company is also hopeful that the cost of choosing renewable energy will fall over the longer term. Already, the additional net cost for acquisition of electricity from renewable sources is less than 1% to the conventional energy mix with proportional fossil fuel sources.

Environmentally responsible partner

“This new arrangement helps to reassure our customers that they are dealing with an environmentally responsible partner, with sustainability advantages that extend into our products,” said Dr. Müller.

“The rate offered by TEAG is a fair agreement for both sides. In addition to increasing energy efficiency within HAPILA to meet our ISO certification responsibilities, we are able to improve the ecological balance of the products we manufacture,” Dr. Müller concluded.

About HAPILA GmbH

HAPILA GmbH is a Contract developer and manufacturer (CDMO) that provides high-value services to pharma, biotech and fine chemicals client companies in the development and cGMP manufacture of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).

HAPILA is an independent company with particular experience in GMP-related development and GMP manufacturing, offering full regulated service for API (IMPD, ASMF) to very high scientific and quality assurance (QA) levels.

It supports the development and manufacture of drug products with patented processes and in-depth experience in the API value-creation chain from synthesis through purification to particle design.

The company’s mission is to supply exclusive products of highest quality, potency and safety in compliance with GMP and environmental protection guidelines. All HAPILA teamwork is focused on product quality and customer satisfaction.

All HAPILA chemical synthesis is carried out in-house at its GMP certified laboratories at Gera, Thuringia, in east-central Germany.

When combined with purification and particle design, HAPILA’s chemical synthesis services cover the complete API value-creation chain, enabling it to be a highly efficient bridge-builder between API production and pharmaceutical end-use.

About TEAG

Thüringer Energie AG provides energy and utility services to some 500,000 customers in the Thuringia region of east-central Germany. The Company supplies electricity and natural gas to residential and commercial users, as well as municipal and regional utilities.

During FY 2017, TEAG group produced a total of 580.9 GWh of electricity, 524.6 GWh of heat and 620.1 GWh of steam.

While the group’s power supplies have historically been derived from conventional power plants in Bad Salzungen, Grabe, Ibenhain, Jena and Merxleben, it is significantly increasing the proportion derived from renewable sources, primarily its own hydroelectric plants and expanding wind generation across Northern, Central and Eastern Thuringia.

TEAG is also investing in solar energy, photovoltaics and biomass technologies.

Further information at: https://www.thueringerenergie.de