Cytiva challenged associates to develop ideas focused on sustainability. We invested USD 3.8M to launch six of these ideas, which addressed a variety of issues including water use, CO2 emissions, single-use plastics, and polystyrene packaging.
Planet Business Innovation Accelerator challenged associates to develop innovative sustainability ideas
A well-known saying states, “Tell me and I forget; teach me and I may remember; involve me and I learn.” The desire to involve Cytiva’s associates was the basis for our Innovation Accelerator challenge in 2020. The challenge was a springboard for sustainability ideas using an inclusive approach.
As part of our Designing in Sustainability plan, we encourage all Cytiva associates to think sustainably. So, Planet Business crowdsourced bright ideas that addressed sustainability issues while creating opportunities to sharpen our business model. Not only did the challenge attract great ideas from across Cytiva, but more than 20% of our associates voted on the proposed projects. The votes combined with the opinions of a jury of external and internal leaders to determine six finalists.
Cytiva implemented the winning ideas and made us all winners
The ideas of the finalists approached sustainability in a variety of ways including improving packaging, phasing out polystyrene, introducing green chemistry, using additive manufacturing, reducing water use and CO2 emissions, and assisting the recycling of single-use plastic.
In 2021, we invested USD 3.8M to bring the six ideas to life. The ideas underwent a proof-of-concept phase and kicked off with an eight-week boot camp, which helped improve the ideas and explore their business cases. All ideas were piloted and ran for a minimum of one year, the majority are still ongoing and delivering results.
Results from the pilots have since informed collaborations and our own innovation processes. We’re developing new chemicals with the help of the Swedish research foundation Mistra. We’re also working with customers to implement our water-saving concept in their manufacturing, and we are working on a game-changing approach to eliminate polystyrene in temperature-sensitive packaging. We also demonstrated how 3D printing allows to produce more sustainable solutions.
Dirk Voelkel, Chief Innovation Officer says, “Each of the six finalists had their own journey, but all were successfully made fit for business. This accelerator has triggered a ripple effect across our company.”
About Cytiva
At Cytiva, we believe the key to transforming human health is accessing life-changing therapies. That’s why our 10 000+ associates in more than 40 countries are keenly focused on helping researchers, biopharma companies, and drug manufacturers to advance and accelerate therapeutics for people that need them.
Learn more about sustainability at Cytiva.