Investing in industrial decarbonization

In 2023, the company invested €4.8M in this area, acquiring equipment and facilities geared to creating a more sober industry. The first solar panels were installed at the Ussel site. In 2024, the number of solar panels in Soual and Gaillac will be increased. The Soual site acquired a heat pump with air condensers* which will result in an 11% lower carbon footprint in 2024 (compared to 2023). Water consumption also decreased by 25% compared to 2018, laying the groundwork for a dry factory that will lead to a 75% reduction in water consumption by 2027. Other sustainable equipment was installed in 2023, such as the shades in Langlade and a heat pump in Gaillac.

Two-figure consumption decreases.

With regard to energy, the objective is to reduce consumption by 10% between 2019 and 2024. 2023, in keeping with that goal, Pierre Fabre installed voltage regulators in Soual and Avène, and reduce the air exchange rate. These efforts are generating significant, measurable benefits. Energy consumption decreased by 12.8% in 2023 compared to 2019, the equivalent of the energy produced by a wind turbine over 1 year.

Decarbonizing operations, from top to bottom.

To reduce its water consumption, Pierre Fabre has, for example, reduced the authorized flow rate in Avène, replaced its reverse osmosis sys- tem** and streamlined watering of the thermal spa’s gardens. So how did 2023 shape up overall? We had 24.8% less water consumption compared to 2018, ahead of the objective set for 2024 (-20%). The company is also taking action to cut greenhouse gas emissions. For example, the heating system at all Pierre Fabre sites has now been lowered to 19°C. Based on the expert estimations, lowering the temperature by just 1°C leads to a 7% energy saving. Pierre Fabre Laboratories is especially vigilant about cutting emissions in the freight and logistics sector, which accounts for 10% of the company’s total carbon footprint. Every year — and last year was no exception — Pierre Fabre strives to limit the impact of its upstream (raw materials transportation) and downstream (delivery) freight operations. To this end, the company is keeping the use of air transport to its subsidiaries and dis- tributors to a minimum, procuring materials primarily in France and neighboring countries, increasing biofuels use, optimizing loading operations and reducing the number of separate deliveries. As part of this pledge, via the FRET21 scheme, Pierre Fabre has made a commitment (with the French environ- ment agency ADEME) to achieve a 10% reduction in its CO2 emissions by 2025.

*Air condenser: heat exchanger used to cool and condense steam using ambient air flow
**Reverse osmosis system: a filtering system that removes impurities from water.