Takeda breaks ground on its first zero carbon building in Singapore worth US$14m

TAKEDA Pharmaceutical Company, Asia's largest drugmaker from Japan, on Wednesday broke ground for its first emissions-free building in Singapore, paving the way for the company to become net-zero in two decades.

The building, which costs US$14 million (S$19 million), uses green concrete and will feature 660 solar photovoltaic panels to fully offset the building's energy consumption, Takeda said in a statement.

It also has carbon dioxide sensors to regulate fresh air demand, as well as a hybrid air-conditioning system with ceiling fans and thermal diffusers to optimise energy usage and improve air flow. In addition, there are facilities to harvest rainwater for sanitation and irrigation purposes.

Located next to its biologics manufacturing plant in JTC Corporation's Woodlands Wafer Fab Park, the building will provide additional office and meeting spaces, a cafeteria and a gym for its 400 employees.

This frees up space for future installations at its manufacturing site, which has been producing bulk drug substances for the treatment of haematology since its official opening in August 2014, the company said.

It added that the building aims to be qualified by the Building and Construction Authority as a Green Mark building. This will set a standard for future Takeda buildings across the globe.

"Takeda achieved carbon neutrality in 2020, now we are focused on our next step to become net-zero by 2040," said Thomas Wozniewski, global manufacturing and supply officer of Takeda.

Ricardo Marek, president of the growth and emerging markets business unit at Takeda, added: "We are excited to celebrate this momentous groundbreaking event, as this milestone is a remarkable testimonial to the strides Singapore has made to ensure a safe and sustainable environment for our employees, patients and partners."

Speaking at the building's groundbreaking ceremony, Trade and Industry Minister Gan Kim Yong said Takeda's new zero carbon building is a positive step towards Singapore's ambitions of a low-carbon future.

Noting that the Singapore Green Plan 2030 includes a goal to green 80 per cent of buildings here, Mr Gan said that this requires both large and small companies, as well as individuals, to do their part to achieve the Republic's sustainability goals.

He added that sustainability is a key focus area for the Biopharmaceutical Manufacturers' Advisory Council (BMAC), which involves the Economic Development Board, JTC as well as the top 16 biopharmaceutical companies in Singapore, including Takeda.

BMAC brings together the public and private sector to develop best practices and share knowledge on innovative technologies to minimise waste, reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to a greener Singapore, he said.