HQ Team
October 4, 2024: Novo Nordisk will invest 864 million reais ($158 million) to revamp its Brazil unit, which accounts for 25% of the drugmaker’s insulin shipments globally.
The amount will be invested in improving processes, modernization and implementing sustainability projects at its Montes Claros plant, in the north of Minas Gerais, according to a statement from the Danish company.
“Within this investment plan, sustainability plays a crucial role, with allocations dedicated to updating the electric fleet, investments in improving the use of rainwater collection and treatment, and creating a waste sorting and separation centre for the recycling process.”
The unit does not send waste to landfills or incineration and instead has separate projects to encourage the recycling of its waste, such as composting organic waste and transforming waste from plastic and glass components into new materials used in the factory.
Solar park
In addition to the new investment, the company recently announced a $245 million reais partnership with Elétron Energy for the construction of a solar park that will generate 100% of the energy consumed.
The project will have the capacity to generate 90 megawatt-hours and is expected to begin operating in early 2025.
“All investments made at our Brazilian unit are designed to generate the lowest possible environmental impact, contributing to our strategy of achieving a 100% circular economy,” said Robison Morais, director of production support and responsible for the plant’s sustainability initiatives.
Novo Nordisk’s production unit in Brazil was founded in 2007 and is responsible for the entire production process of different types of insulin.
12% of global insulin consumption
From receiving the active pharmaceutical ingredient, through all manufacturing stages to bottling, packaging and shipping the facility distributes to centres and retailers throughout Brazil.
From Montes Claros, 25% of the insulin produced worldwide by Novo Nordisk is shipped – representing around 12% of the insulin consumed worldwide, according to the statement.
The Novo Nordisk unit in Montes Claros is currently the main supplier of insulin to the federal government’s Unified Health System, having benefited more than 4.3 million Brazilians with diabetes each year across the country since 2018.
