Driving Sustainability through Collaboration
Sustainability is no longer an optional goal for corporations — it’s an imperative. At Astellas, the drive toward net-zero emissions by 2050 shapes every decision, reflecting a deep commitment to meaningful change.
Achieving this goal requires a comprehensive approach, including efforts to reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions, those directly and indirectly linked to its own operations. At the same time, Astellas recognizes that addressing Scope 3 emissions, those generated by suppliers, partners, and other external activities within its value chain and which account for 90% of its carbon footprint, is equally critical. Collaboration is key to making progress, and by working with partners across its value chain, Astellas aims to create a virtuous cycle of impact and innovation.
This was the central theme of the recent Astellas Sustainable Business Partner Summit, a first-of-its-kind event bringing together key stakeholders to tackle the shared challenge of creating a more sustainable future. With invited participants representing 80% of the company’s overall spend, the summit emphasized collaboration, innovation, and the need for collective action.
Paul O’Neill, Senior Vice President and Head of Global Procurement, was one of the four presenters at the summit. He shares his insights into the summit's purpose, how Astellas is embedding sustainability into its operations, and how collaboration is essential to achieving its ambitious goals.
Collaboration as the Core of Sustainability
Astellas is committed to contributing to a more sustainable society through its core business, and its efforts to reduce environmental impact are strengthened by a highly collaborative culture. Paul reflected on this commitment, explaining, “For Astellas, sustainability progress is all about teamwork,” Paul explained, reflecting on the company’s strong culture of collaboration. “We can only succeed through partnerships, both internally and externally.”
The summit embodied this ethos, bringing together key suppliers and partners with the shared understanding that collective action is essential. Astellas used the event to transparently address its current position, outline its ambitious targets, and issue a clear call to action.
Suppliers with strong sustainability credentials were invited to the summit specifically because of their ability to drive progress. By prioritizing these partners and learning from others, Astellas demonstrated its commitment to aligning key relationships with its long-term environmental goals, reinforcing the company’s vision of a sustainable future.
Prioritizing High-Impact Partnerships
Scope 3 emissions remain a cornerstone of Astellas' sustainability strategy, and tackling these indirect emissions requires both strategic focus and innovative solutions.
“With a global network of over 17,000 suppliers, we can’t be everywhere,” Paul explained. “Our focus is on high-impact suppliers and categories where we can drive the most significant change.”
One standout example is Astellas’ collaboration with a supplier that uses rare metals, like palladium, as catalysts in the manufacturing process for strategic products. Recognizing the environmental and ethical responsibility tied to rare metals, Astellas worked closely with its supply chain, technical teams, and external partners to assess and improve palladium recovery rates.
“At the time, recovery rates were below industry benchmarks,” Paul explained. “It wasn’t just about the cost, it was about doing the right thing. We wanted to use as little of this finite resource as possible and retain as much of it as we could to reduce the burden on the planet.”
Through collaborative efforts, the recovery rate improved from 35% to 55%, with a bold new target of 75% established for the future. “What started as an exercise in improving a specific process ultimately shifted the mindset and behavior of everyone involved, creating a platform for even greater improvement,” Paul said.
Driving Innovation Through Data and Design
Innovation has been a driving force in Astellas’ sustainability journey, with the company consistently exploring new ways to align operational needs with environmental goals. From logistics models to packaging solutions, the focus is on experimentation and learning.
The development of blister packaging from biomass-based plastic is one such example, with the initiative gaining recognition as a milestone in sustainable product design. Another trial involved reducing the weight of packaging materials while maintaining the integrity of temperature-sensitive products. These efforts continue to improve environmental performance and inspire new approaches for the future.
Logistics innovations have also played a key role. By testing electric trucks and shifting shipments from air to ocean, Astellas has made measurable progress in reducing its carbon footprint. “Every change, no matter how small, is part of a bigger picture,” Paul noted. “It’s about building momentum and creating a culture where innovation thrives.”
This culture extends to Astellas’ use of data. By piloting technologies to create heat maps of its carbon footprint, the company ensures efforts are focused where they will have the greatest impact.
“This is about more than just tracking numbers. It’s about using data to drive meaningful change,” Paul explained.
Regional and Industry-Wide Collaboration
Sustainability is not a one-size-fits-all approach, and Astellas understands the need to adapt its strategies to regional contexts while fostering alignment across industries. Local teams play an important role in driving change, as demonstrated by a project in Spain where plastics were eliminated and shipments consolidated to reduce emissions.
“Grassroots commitment inspires broader change,” Paul said. “The behavior matters, it sets the tone for what’s possible across the organization.”
At the same time, collaboration with industry peers is crucial. By engaging with other sectors such as retail and manufacturing, Astellas has gained valuable insights that are helping to shape sustainable practices. Paul emphasized the need for alignment to avoid inefficiencies, such as differing data requirements across companies. “We need common frameworks to make sustainability easier for everyone,” he explained.
The Human Side of Sustainability
For Paul, sustainability isn’t just a corporate objective, it’s a deeply held responsibility. “Avoiding action now is effectively stealing from the future,” he shared. “As a father and as someone who believes in following the science, I feel we have a responsibility to make meaningful change today.”
This personal perspective ties closely to Astellas’ broader mission. By reducing its environmental footprint, the company ensures that future generations can enjoy not only healthier lives but also a healthier planet.
Building a Better Future Together
As Astellas looks ahead, the focus remains on collaboration, innovation, and transparency. The Astellas Sustainable Business Partner Summit marked an important step in aligning stakeholders and setting the stage for continued progress. Adam Pearson, Astellas’ Chief Strategy Officer (CStO) presented alongside Paul at the summit. He summarized the growing need for partnership in addressing sustainability challenges:
Astellas is committed to a good cycle of improving the sustainability of society and our company through our core business. With clear goals, a commitment to learning, and a strong culture of collaboration, Astellas is taking bold steps to build a sustainable future. By fostering a virtuous circle of innovation and shared responsibility, Astellas ensures that its efforts deliver lasting impact for generations to come.
Learn more about Astellas’ commitment to sustainable practices by clicking on the links below.
Can Sustainability Be Globally Driven and Locally Accomplished? Astellas believes it can.
Read more
A New Materiality Matrix as a Compass to Direct our Business
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