Technology-Enabled Product Decarbonization with Intelligent PCF Calculation and Prediction Tool

Reducing product carbon footprint (PCF) is most effective when sustainability considerations are incorporated early in route selection and process development, when there is still significant flexibility to influence raw material selection, solvent use, energy consumption, reaction conditions, and manufacturing strategy. Once a process is defined and transferred toward commercial manufacturing, opportunities for meaningful PCF reduction become increasingly limited.

This presentation will describe the development of an intelligent PCF calculation and prediction tool, named Zoe PCF, which is designed to support sustainability-driven decision-making during process development as well as commercial-stage carbon accounting. Built on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) principles, the tool integrates material usage, energy demand, process parameters, and manufacturing data to calculate PCF and predict the impact of alternative routes and process conditions. Case studies will demonstrate how predictive PCF assessment can guide process development, including the use of innovative technologies such as continuous flow chemistry to reduce energy consumption and improve process efficiency.

By combining predictive PCF tools with process chemistry and advanced technologies, PCF is embedded into core development and business decision-making at PharmaBlock. Beyond reducing product-level emissions, this approach supports the transition toward a more sustainable and climate-resilient pharmaceutical value chain, enabling proactive decarbonization and responsible innovation across the product lifecycle.