Pune: A groundbreaking UK-India initiative, the ‘Living Laboratory’, was officially launched in Pune, India, marking a significant step toward decarbonising the pharmaceutical industry. This state-of-the-art facility will act as a testing and demonstration hub for companies to develop, evaluate, and implement advanced, sustainable manufacturing technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance productivity.
The Living Lab is a joint initiative between the UK’s CPI (Centre for Process Innovation) and India’s CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL). CPI, a leading deep-tech innovation organisation, played a key role in the UK’s contribution, with support from the UK Government. On the Indian side, CSIR-NCL, a renowned research and consulting organisation, led the initiative, with backing from the Indian Government and industry stakeholders.
Key Objectives of the Living Laboratory
Reducing carbon footprint in pharmaceutical manufacturing
Scaling up sustainable and energy-efficient production
Facilitating collaboration between industry leaders and researchers
Supporting pharmaceutical companies in achieving net-zero goals
Several major pharmaceutical companies, including Sun Pharma, Aarti Industries, Alivus Life Sciences, USV, Anthem Biosciences, Corning, and GMM-Pfaudler, have joined the partnership. Additionally, mid-sized firms have aligned with the Industry Consortium of Continuous Manufacturing to explore innovative manufacturing processes.
Technologies to Drive Sustainability
The Living Lab will focus on two primary areas:
Solvent-free manufacturing – reducing hazardous waste and emissions.
Continuous manufacturing – a more efficient and sustainable alternative to traditional batch manufacturing.
These advancements will help Indian pharmaceutical manufacturers align with Scope 3 sustainability targets, minimizing indirect emissions and improving access to European markets.
India is the largest global supplier of generic medicines, manufacturing over 60% of the world’s vaccines and supplying a quarter of all medicines in the UK. In 2022, pharmaceutical products accounted for £533.8 million in UK-India trade, making them the second-largest category of UK imports from India.
Dr. Ashish Lele, Director of CSIR-NCL, stated: “The Living Lab will act as a unique testbed for the Indian chemical and pharmaceutical industries, validating emerging technologies and enabling the shift from batch to continuous manufacturing, leading to a significant reduction in emissions and waste.”
Sudarshan Jain, Secretary-General of the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA), highlighted: “With increasing regulatory approvals for continuous manufacturing, the industry is embracing smart automation. The CPI UK-NCL India Living Lab will accelerate this transformation, fostering innovation and operational excellence on a global scale.”
The Living Laboratory is open to businesses across India and the UK, offering a platform to enhance sustainable manufacturing practices. Companies interested in reducing carbon emissions and improving efficiency can explore collaboration opportunities through this initiative.
