Pharma starting materials and intermediates: Emissions
Why choices in new Indian plants will fix emissions for decades
What this tab covers The greenhouse-gas footprint per tonne, split by lifecycle phase (feedstock, production, movement, use, end of life), the global total, other environmental impacts, levers and low-carbon routes, India's position, and where the investment opportunity lies.Per kg of KSM or intermediate, cradle-to-gate. Intensity: indicative; see phenol tile (1.81 t CO2e/t, Plastics Europe).
Share of footprint by lifecycle phase
Feedstock 50% Production / process 45% Movement 5%Footprint by lifecycle phase
| Phase | Intensity | Share | Main sources of emissions | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feedstock | aromatics, ammonia, solvents | 50% | fossil feedstock | indicative | indicative |
| Production / process | steam, electricity, hydrogen | 45% | coal-based utilities in China and India | indicative | indicative |
| Movement | container shipping China to India | 5% | distance | small | indicative |
| Use | not applicable (converted to API) | – | not applicable | ||
| End of life | waste solvent and residue incineration | – | effluent and residues | counted in process where incinerated on site |
Other environmental impacts
Nitroaromatic and chlorinated effluents, high-salt wastewater, and fermentation waste with antibiotic residues.
Levers to cut emissions
- Catalytic hydrogenation instead of iron reduction
- Solvent recovery
- Renewable power and green steam in bulk drug parks
- Common effluent treatment with zero liquid discharge
India
New PLI plants and bulk drug parks are being built now, so their utilities choices will fix emissions for decades; no published emissions plans were found.
Emission figures are indicative global averages from the life-cycle studies named; actual footprints vary widely by site, energy mix and method.Low-carbon routes
| Route | Intensity | Cost premium | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enzymatic conversions (e.g. penicillin G to 6-APA by immobilised acylase) | lower solvent use than chemical deacylation (indicative) | none; now standard | standard in modern plants | qualitative |