DFE Pharma, a global leader in pharmaceutical excipients, has secured its third consecutive Gold Medal from EcoVadis, the world’s leading corporate sustainability ratings provider. 

 

The award places the company in the top 5% globally, recognizing strong performance across Environment, Labor & Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement, and underscoring its continued push to embed ESG principles across its operations and supply chain.

 

The latest recognition follows a series of sustainability milestones. The company now runs on 100% green electricity across all production sites, enabling it to exceed its SBTi-approved* emissions reduction pathway ahead of its 2030 target, with a 42% cut in Scope 1 and 2 emissions. 

 

It has also confirmed that all excipients are microplastic-free, backed by biodegradability testing and product-level data. In a further move toward transparency, DFE Pharma launched EcoLact 2030, an initiative designed to provide verified CO₂ data and full value-chain traceability for its lactose portfolio, helping pharmaceutical customers reduce Scope 3 emissions without disrupting operations.

 

On governance and social responsibility, the company has strengthened its framework with a dedicated Human Rights Policy aligned with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, supported by measurable indicators to track implementation. 

 

It has also formally joined the United Nations Global Compact, committing to integrate its Ten Principles on human rights, labour, environment, and anti-corruption into its strategy and operations, with annual reporting and stakeholder engagement.

 

“With this recognition, we see both progress and responsibility,” said Sven Abend, CEO of DFE Pharma. “Our third consecutive Gold Medal reflects the dedication of our teams and partners worldwide and encourages us to keep raising the bar — from supplying the most sustainable lactose and plant-based excipients, to working closely with suppliers on nature-positive sourcing, and building a workplace where people feel safe, valued and able to contribute to success.”

 

For pharmaceutical manufacturers, the recognition serves as independent validation of DFE Pharma’s sustainability performance, reinforcing its position as a partner for supplier qualification, responsible sourcing, and supply chain transparency.