Sartorius Stedim Biotech reports that it was awarded the highest certification for ecological and sustainable building by the U.S. Green Building Council for its new facility in Yauco, Puerto Rico. According to the LEED certification system, an internationally recognized green building program, the new building was certified as “LEED Platinum.” As a result, Sartorius is the only company worldwide to have a LEED Platinum-certified manufacturing facility for the biopharmaceutical industry, according to the company.
Sartorius invested $20 million in the new production building, which was officially opened last summer. Covering an area of 5,000 square meters, or some 55,000 square feet, the new building complex provides space for two new cleanrooms for filter and bag manufacture, labs, and offices.
From the beginning, ecological aspects played a role in the project, said Volker Niebel, member of the Executive Committee of Sartorius Stedim Biotech. Special attention was given to conserving water and energy resources, he added. The building complex in Yauco has been designed to save approximately 85% of water consumed in comparison with conventional facilities, continued Niebel, noting that it uses harvested rainwater and air-handling unit condensate for cooling cleanrooms and supplying gray water to facilities, as well as for irrigation purposes. “The building’s climate control technology, special building materials, and perforated metal fins and diaphanous screen walls that reduce sunlight contribute to energy savings,” he said.
Sartorius Stedim Biotech covers approximately 10% of its energy needs for the new building with a photovoltaic system, which is installed on the factory roof.