< PreviousWASTE MANAGEMENT 30 Pharma Business International www.pbiforum.net this can see significant savings. Lower grade solvent materials and excess stock, as with other resources, can be resold to those industries where a reduced level of purity is acceptable, preventing waste and illustrating the value it can have in generating revenue. This also feeds into the rise in circular economy approaches for pharma waste management. Across the industry efforts are homing in on reducing waste, avoiding disposal, and circular approaches are striving to keep raw materials in use, designing out waste, and ensuring the waste from one process is the input for another. Circular principles are being incorporated into all processes and products - from research and development to production, companies are minimising the amount of materials required and waste generated in the manufacture and use of products, increasing reused and recycled content of materials used directly and within supply chains, and maximising the amount of waste recycled to slash what is sent to landfill. Closed loop supply chains display the circular economy in practice, where suppliers, manufacturers and recyclers collaborate to boost resource and cost savings. In a time where growing numbers of patients, prescriptions and overproduction of some medicines, have led to greater volumes of pharmaceutical waste and increased disposal costs, such supply chains will become more important. However stringent regulations, of course, make a truly circular system difficult to achieve as the safety of products and patients take precedent. As greener processes, waste cutting strategies, and recycling targets are being adopted, establishing a hierarchy for waste to adhere to is an important place for manufacturers to start. In general this may involve the following. In the first instance manufacturers should avoid waste production and reduce waste flow at the source, then consider 28-31.qxp_Layout 1 08/04/2022 14:32 Page 3WASTE MANAGEMENT Pharma Business International 31 www.pbiforum.net reuse, recycling and recovery on-site or with validated providers. Where this is not feasible incineration usually follows, with energy recovery where possible, and as a last resort waste is sent to authorised landfills. Taking a multifaceted approach to waste management - to limit waste generated, encourage appropriate sorting, reuse and recycling, to reduce the need for extra natural resources - is key. Addressing packaging waste specifically is also high on the agenda for pharmaceutical companies. Moving to recyclable packaging is beneficial here, such as recyclable versions of popular blister packaging which at present is often made using non-recyclable PVC. Though eco-friendly packaging presents a challenge for the industry, as drug packaging needs to be carefully preserved, it is possible. Furthermore there is a place for addressing medication that remains unused through the pharmaceutical chain, extending shelf life, choosing sustainable storage conditions and adjusting package sizes for less material use, all to minimise waste, as well as tackling consumer waste disposal, perhaps with mail back programmes for products like inhalers so that pharma companies can dispose of them adequately with green methods. Moreover, when it comes to disposal, the dominance of high temperature incineration can be replaced, in some cases, with greener options, including energy from waste (EfW), through anaerobic digestion for example, autoclave, and bio plants to treat wastewater. Waste management may not be the first thing we think of when we consider the pharmaceutical industry, but its impact on the world is significant, and manufacturers have a responsibility to improve processes in the name of sustainability, especially as public concern rises over the environmental crisis, which will surely see the spotlight shone on the sector. © stock.adobe.com/gopixa 28-31.qxp_Layout 1 08/04/2022 14:32 Page 4Pharmintech and IPACK-IMA 3-6 May Milan, Italy A complete, cross-cutting range of offerings catering for the entire mass market and consumer durables industries. A system exhibition showcasing each step of the production chain: from processing to packaging, from design to innovative materials, from labelling to end-of-line, from automation to digitization. With over 74,000 visitors, IPACK- IMA is the international reference event for market professionals and a privileged meeting place for the buyers of the food and non-food industry. Clinical Trial Supply 17 – 19 May Brussels, Belgium The challenges confronting the clinical trial supply chain in light of the COVID-19 pandemic are without precedent. With delays and disruption continuing to affect trials around the world, and regulatory changes impacting operations, the resourcefulness and ingenuity of pharmaceutical companies, biotechs and solution providers is proving critical. This show aims to discover how pharmaceutical and biotech companies of all sizes are protecting and optimising their Pharma EVENTS © stock.adobe.com/chungking 32 Pharma Business International www.pbiforum.net Manufacturing Chemist Live 25 – 26 May National Conference Centre, Birmingham, UK The event will shine a spotlight on reducing processes across the supply chain, ensuring an operation that is as resilient and as effective as possible. Pharma Clinical 2022 17 – 19 May Virtual, Online Organised by Reuters, the show aims to define the new standards in digital innovation for clinical transformation and will see over 40 expert speakers from the industry discuss how companies can create an accountable clinical ecosystem where patient ethnicity, diversity and empowerment are central values. INTERPHEX 24 – 26 May New York, USA INTERPHEX is a pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device development and manufacturing event where you can experience science through commercialization. It brings global industry professionals and suppliers together to learn it, experience it, procure it through a unique combination of our no-cost technical conference, exhibits, demonstrations, partnering opportunities, and networking events to leverage quality, efficiency, and cost- effectiveness in today’s ever-changing global market. © stock.adobe.com/Paul 4th Edition of World Nanotechnology Conference 25-27 April Las Vegas, USA The theme of the conference will be “From Micro to nanotechnology: advances and applications in the real world” and it will focus on the new generation of vaccines, called nano vaccines, that have grabbed the attention of the scientific community. Nanotechnology-based vaccines or monoclonal antibodies have been proposed as a promising method for successful treatment and rapid diagnosis of COVID-19. 32-33.qxp_Layout 1 08/04/2022 14:33 Page 1the complexity, cost and risk of successful drug delivery, by exploring the drug supply chain through live lectures, seminars and panel discussions. By understanding the drug supply chain, from drug discovery to delivery & distribution, businesses can harness the right strategies, facilities or equipment to best execute their pharma practice fit for 2022 and beyond. Iran Health 26-29 May Tehran, Iran At the Iran Health International Fair taking place in Tehran, exhibitors are presenting the best in the business of medical products, hospital, diagnostics as well as pharmaceutical, laboratory and rehabilitation equipment. The event serves as a platform for medical suppliers, industry professionals, government bodies, hospital administers, physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals. Korea Pharm & Bio 14 – 17 June Goyang-si, South Korea KOREA PHARM & BIO 2022 is the leading Pharmaceutical and Bio-pharma exhibition in Korea. It is an ideal opportunity for announcing the latest materials and technologies to Korea’s pharmaceutical & bio-pharma industries as well as Asia-Pacific Region. The show gathers makers, suppliers, and specialists in Pharmaceutical & Bio-Pharma industries from all over the world. www.pbiforum.net Pharma Business International 33 © stock.adobe.com/wideonet Healthplex Expo and Natural & Nutraceutical Products China 22 – 24 June Shanghai, China Healthplex provides a platform for domestic and foreign health enterprises to build up brands, promote products, expand sales networks and enhance international trade. HNC is going to provide a big platform for the exhibitors and visitors where they can gather and create a professional bonding with each other. Thus, it can be stated as one of the biggest events of all that must be attended for own benefits. NEXT Pharma Summit 16 – 17 May Dubrovnik, Croatia With a clear focus on pharma commercial/medical and at the time of great uncertainty for pharma, the show gathers pharma executives, global heads and solution vendors to ask a simple question: Where to NEXT? 32-33.qxp_Layout 1 08/04/2022 14:33 Page 2FEATURES Process, Control & Automation Training & Skills Development Flow Measurement & Control Warehouse & Distribution Cleaning & Maintenance Next issue: Deadline - 1st June 2022 REGULARS News Events M&A Round-up Eye On Approvals Visit us at www.pbiforum.net where you’ll find the latest news as it breaks – and why not subscribe to our newsletters so you can have the latest news emailed to your inbox, in between digital issues? @pbiforumwww.pbiforum.netcompany/pbiforum 34.qxp_Layout 1 08/04/2022 13:40 Page 1Next >