Boehringer Ingelheim U.S. Animal Health today announced that its poultry vaccine site in Gainesville, Ga., has received carbon neutral certification, the first of its U.S. sites to earn this designation. The site, which produces nearly 60 billion poultry vaccines every year, is Boehringer Ingelheim's first major manufacturing facility site in the U.S. and its third site globally to become carbon neutral.

"Boehringer Ingelheim is committed to making the company, surrounding communities, and the world more environmentally sustainable, now and for future generations," said Randolph Legg, President and Head of Commercial Business at Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA Inc. "Our Gainesville site's achievement inspires our entire worldwide team as we make progress toward our goal to become carbon neutral in all company operations by 2030 (Scope 1 and Scope 2)¹."

The Gainesville site has been working toward more sustainable operations since 2017, when they noticed emissions were equal to more than 1,000 homes. Electricity is one of the biggest emission producers on-site, so the site team began participating in several Georgia Power renewable energy programs to help power the site in a more sustainable way and eliminate nearly 80% of carbon emissions.

To reach carbon neutral status, the site team made additional changes that included:

• Installed solar panels over the parking lot to harness the power of the sun,
• Replaced fluorescent lightbulbs with energy-efficient LED bulbs,
• Installed dimmer switches and occupancy sensors that turn off the lights when rooms are not in use,
• Purchased an electric vehicle for use around the site and installed a charging station,
• Installed smart meters to measure electrical consumption, which helps identify energy savings, and
• Replaced insulation on equipment to reduce heat and energy loss.

To offset the few remaining carbon emissions, the company purchased environmental project carbon credits from Climate Seed. Employees at the site chose to invest in the Noles South Avoided Conversion Forest project in North Carolina and a reforestation project in Kasigau Corridor in Kenya.

With these changes, the company contracted with Germany-based TÜV, an independent third-party certification services company, to review and certify the site for carbon neutrality. The company received the carbon neutral certification on April 11. The certification process confirms that the site has reduced and offset greenhouse gas emissions for 2021. The certification must be reviewed annually and is based on the previous year's emissions. 

"We are excited that the updates we've implemented at this facility and the support from our employees have earned us the certification for carbon neutrality," said Andy Brehm, Site Director at the Boehringer Ingelheim Gainesville facility. "It's important to us and everyone at the site that we work toward a more sustainable future, for our communities and the people and animals we serve."

"This move to carbon neutrality helps protect the environment we live in," said Lara Sheeley, head of the U.S. swine and poultry divisions at Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health. "And when the environment is healthy, people and animals are healthier."

Boehringer Ingelheim sites across the U.S. are making significant progress toward carbon neutrality as part of Boehringer Ingelheim's Sustainable Development For Generations initiative. The site at St. Joseph, Mo., operates on wind energy. In North Brunswick, N.J., the site has purchased green power. In Barceloneta, Puerto Rico, the site will use natural gas to generate electricity, which will create steam and hot water that can be used in everyday operations. The U.S. Corporate and Human Pharma headquarters in Ridgefield, Conn., runs on renewable energy. 

About 'Sustainable Development – For Generations'

Boehringer Ingelheim operates to serve the needs of human and animal health. This makes the company's position unique in addressing intersecting sustainable development challenges. The 'Sustainable Development – For Generations' framework has three pillars: 'More Health,' 'More Green' and 'More Potential.' Through these pillars, Boehringer Ingelheim implements 20 initiatives around the globe to drive the company's contributions and impact. These are in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. To succeed in reaching these goals, the company has renewed its committed approach to working in partnership, calling for the multi-stakeholder collaboration needed to tackle complex global challenges.

About Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA

Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health is working on first-in-class innovation for the prediction, prevention, and treatment of diseases in animals. For veterinarians, pet owners, producers, and governments in more than 150 countries, we offer a large and innovative portfolio of products and services to improve the health and well-being of companion animals and livestock.

As a global leader in the animal health industry and as part of the family-owned Boehringer Ingelheim, we take a long-term perspective. The lives of animals and humans are interconnected in deep and complex ways. We know that when animals are healthy, humans are healthier too. By using the synergies between our Animal Health and Human Pharma businesses and by delivering value through innovation, we enhance the health and well-being of both. 

Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health has deep roots in the U.S. From a start in St. Joseph, Missouri, more than 100 years ago, it has grown to encompass seven sites. Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health's portfolio contains widely used and well-respected vaccines, parasite-control products and therapeutics for pets, horses and livestock including NexGard®, Heartgard®, Pyramid® Presponse®, VAXXITEK®, CircoFLEX® and Prascend®.

Learn more about Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA at bi-animalhealth.com 

Reference

1. Scope 1 – All direct emissions from activities of the company and under the control of Boehringer Ingelheim. Scope 2 – Indirect emissions created through purchased energy and used by Boehringer Ingelheim for company operations.

SOURCE Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA Inc.

Media Contact

Chrissy Jones
Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA Inc.
U.S. Communications
Phone: (516) 527-5456
Email: christine.jones@boehringer-ingelheim.com