As an important contribution to protecting natural resources, and therefore the environment, Merck aims to use materials in production economically and efficiently. With respect to the purchased materials that are used in our products, we can quantify the weight or volume for 74% of the total amount spent on these materials. In 2010, we used 318 kt and 63,340 m3 of materials. In addition to this are materials that can be determined in numbers of units only, such as folding boxes, glass bottles, ampules or applicators. The materials used also include items such as chemical and pharmaceutical raw materials, packaging materials and consequently everything that goes into the products. They do not include operating supplies such as energy or lubricants.
Already in the process development phase, we pay special attention to making sure that the processes are efficient and result in as little waste as possible. We work to ensure that the materials used are as safe as possible. For the existing production processes, we are working in interdisciplinary teams on process optimization as part of our Operational Excellence program. Using resources efficiently is an important goal, also for cost reasons.
The amount of waste produced in the Merck Group increased to 193 kt in 2010 (2009: 162 kt). The increase was due to higher production volumes owing to the improved economic situation, an increase in waste resulting from construction and remediation measures, and the inclusion in the calculation of waste from the acquired Millipore sites.
The share of hazardous waste was 39% in 2010. The amount of recycling waste rose from 96 kt in 2009 to 120 kt in 2010. A total of 20 kt of that waste was converted into energy in 2010 (2009: 17.5 kt). In 2010, 46% of waste was construction, excavation and demolition waste (2009: 47%); these types of waste also strongly influence the recycling rate, which was 62% in 2010 (2009: 59%).
