Gerresheimer earns CDP leadership rating for climate transparency
Aims to lead pharma packaging sustainability transformation
Gerresheimer, the global systems and solutions provider for the pharmaceutical, biotech, and cosmetics industries, has been awarded an A– rating by CDP, the global benchmark for environmental disclosure. This leadership status places the company well above the global and industry average, both of which stand at C, highlighting Gerresheimer’s role as a front-runner in climate-related transparency and sustainability within the healthcare packaging sector.
The CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project) is a non-profit, independent platform that assesses how effectively companies disclose and manage environmental impacts. Achieving an A– score signals Gerresheimer’s strong governance, commitment to measurable goals, and transparency around risks and opportunities related to climate change.
“Sustainability is an integral part of Gerresheimer's corporate strategy,” explains Hanna Wagner, Group Manager Sustainability Analytics, in an exclusive interview with MoveTheNeedle.news. Wagner oversees environmental data validation across 45 production sites, Scope 3 emissions reporting, and CDP disclosures. She is also a core member of the company’s CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive) task force.
A three-pillar strategy for impact: climate, circularity, and care
Wagner outlined the three core pillars of Gerresheimer’s sustainability strategy:
-
GxPure: Focuses on climate action and environmental responsibility. It sets clear KPIs for Scope 1 and 2 emissions, energy efficiency, and water use, with annual performance tracking across all sites. In 2024, 55% of Gerresheimer’s electricity came from renewable sources, and since 2019, the company has reduced its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 28%.
-
GxCircular: Drives sustainable product innovation using circular economy principles. This includes the EcoDesign framework, applied during product development to reduce material use, promote recyclability, and create lower-impact packaging.
-
GxCare: Embodies social responsibility, covering employee well-being, occupational health and safety, and community engagement through global and local initiatives.
Wagner notes that these pillars are embedded in Gerresheimer’s ‘formula g’ corporate strategy, where sustainability is not only a compliance obligation but a growth driver.
“For us, it goes beyond compliance; it is a key driver of long-term growth,” says Wagner. “Even in a highly regulated industry such as pharmaceutical and biotechnology packaging, we recognize our role in reducing the environmental impact of our operations and value chain.”
CDP success built on full-scope emissions tracking and strategic alignment
The company attributes its high CDP rating to a combination of robust actions:
-
Comprehensive Scope 1–3 emissions accounting
-
Science-based target commitment to reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 50% by 2030
-
Energy-efficient facilities and a shift to renewables
-
High CDP sub-scores in risk management, emissions initiatives, and product innovation
-
External assurance of environmental metrics by KPMG (ISAE 3000 standard)
-
Alignment with global reporting standards including GRI and the UN Global Compact
Wagner adds:
“We provide our customers with transparent roadmaps showing how we plan to improve our manufacturing processes and reduce the carbon footprint of our products.”
The company also offers off-the-shelf sustainable packaging options under the “ecopositive” line (inherited from Bormioli Pharma, acquired in 2022), featuring more sustainable materials and design.
Benchmarking Gerresheimer against industry peers
Compared to peers like Schott Pharma, Stevanato Group, and Berry Global, Gerresheimer is one of the few in the pharma and medtech packaging sector to earn a CDP leadership score and report full Scope 3 emissions. While many competitors are just beginning to adopt circular economy principles or establish science-based targets, Gerresheimer is among a minority demonstrating consistent third-party verified progress across environmental pillars.
Its EcoDesign framework and emphasis on co-developing sustainable packaging with customers positions the company as an innovation partner rather than simply a supplier — a key differentiator in the eyes of pharma and biotech clients seeking more sustainable supply chains.
Tackling the biggest challenge: Scope 3 emissions
One of Gerresheimer’s top priorities going forward is to reduce Scope 3 emissions, which account for the majority of its overall carbon footprint.
“In 2024, we calculated our full Scope 3 inventory, giving us a clear understanding of the most significant categories, particularly purchased goods and services, fuel- and energy-related activities, transport and distribution, and the end-of-life treatment of our products,” says Wagner.
The next step: setting a science-based Scope 3 target and engaging suppliers and logistics partners to cut emissions at the material sourcing and delivery stages.
“Although we have already made significant progress with Scopes 1 and 2, Scope 3 remains the biggest challenge. However, we recognize this as an opportunity to drive real impact through collaboration, supplier engagement and innovation in materials and logistics.”
From compliance to collaboration: sustainability as a growth enabler
Despite strict regulatory limitations in the pharmaceutical industry, Gerresheimer sees meaningful opportunities to lead on sustainability through cooperation with customers and suppliers, transparent labelling, and take-back systems for products and packaging.
“Collaborating with qualified suppliers can encourage the use of renewable energy in the production of materials,” Wagner explains. “Take-back systems for our products and packaging, coupled with transparent labelling, provide an opportunity to support a circular economy. However, this potential can only be realized through multistakeholder cooperation.”
With sustainability woven into its core strategy and customer relationships, Gerresheimer is positioning itself not only as a compliant supplier — but as a climate-conscious innovation partner ready to help reshape the future of sustainable health systems.