German based DFE Pharma is the global leader in lactose-based excipients – inactive substances blended with the active ingredients in medicines, to bind or bulk them, or to help process the active ingredient.
After acquiring 50% of the business in 2019, CVC helped DFE Pharma set up a robust sustainability governance framework. This included assisting with establishing a sustainability committee, appointing the company’s chief operating officer as the executive sponsor, and appointing a director responsible for reaching non-financial targets.
DFE Pharma’s approach to sustainability is inspired by its purpose of ‘Your medicines, our solutions. Moving to a healthier world’. Priorities of the business include making its work more sustainable and future-proofed by using cleaner and less energy, complying with global regulations, preparing for Corporate Sustainable Reporting Directive (CSRD), ensuring safety of its employees, and promoting equity among its workforce. Our help included providing support to produce DFE Pharma’s sustainability report, with reference to Global Reporting Initiative standards. Also, in partnership with co-investors, we helped accelerate the company’s ability to submit decarbonisation targets to the SBTi, and expect these to be considered for validation this year.