--- title: "Preserving Natural Resources in the Pharmaceutical Industry: Strategies for Responsible Utilization" description: Learn how the pharmaceutical industry can preserve natural resources through water conservation strategies and efficiency. image: https://blog.pqegroup.com/hubfs/EP4_Site%20Banner%20(1)-1.jpg --- [![Logo PQE Group - azzurro - 2024](https://blog.pqegroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logo%20PQE%20Group%20-%20azzurro%20-%202024.png?width=2000&height=721&name=Logo%20PQE%20Group%20-%20azzurro%20-%202024.png "Logo PQE Group - azzurro - 2024")](https://www2.pqegroup.com) - [Home](https://www2.pqegroup.com/) - [Industry](https://www2.pqegroup.com/industry/) - [Pharma & API](https://www2.pqegroup.com/pharma-api/) - [Medical Device](https://www2.pqegroup.com/medical-device/) - [Biotech](https://www2.pqegroup.com/biotech/) - [Startup](https://www2.pqegroup.com/startup/) - [Veterinary](https://www2.pqegroup.com/veterinary/) - [Services](https://www2.pqegroup.com/services/) - [Data Integrity](https://www2.pqegroup.com/data-integrity/) - 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[Careers](https://www2.pqegroup.com/careers/) - [Contact Us](https://www2.pqegroup.com/contact-us/) ![PQE Group](https://blog.pqegroup.com/hubfs/PQE%20Group%20logo%202024%20white%20background.png) PQE Group by PQE Group & Techniconsult Group # **Preserving Natural Resources in the Pharmaceutical Industry: Strategies for Responsible Utilization** [Engineering](https://blog.pqegroup.com/tag/engineering) The conservation of resources is one of the pillars of sustainability objectives and a fundamental target, together with decarbonization and energy efficiency, for the protection of the environment.  Water in particular, as the fundament of life itself on the planet, requires the highest focus for its conservation, optimized use, and critical need to recycle.  The demand of water by industrial manufacturing facilities is significant, generating a considerable footprint on the entire planet, and it is very dependent on the industrial needs and nature of processes.  Water is used in the industry for different purposes, among which are primarily manufacturing processes (dissolution, dilution), washing and rinsing, heat transfer (heating and cooling), hygienic services, safety (firefighting), and steam generation.  In the pharmaceutical industry, different kinds of water are used depending upon the needs, each characterized by specific chemical and physical properties: well water, industrial water, domestic water, softened water, purified water, and water for injection.  Water with higher degrees of purity requires more complex treatments, entailing significant impacts in terms of energy consumption and efforts to operate and maintain plants.  In order to optimize the use of water, design options and good practices for plant operations and maintenance can be applied:   - Selection of technologies minimizing water consumption, in case of multiple available technologies for a given scope;  - Optimization of water consumption at user points, by automatic control of distribution systems (i.e., Building Management Systems) or by limitation of spilled water flow rates;  - Good design and installation practices, aiming to minimize leakages in water circuits;  - Good operational and maintenance practices, aiming to minimize circuits refilling and water losses.  A case study was conducted for an application in the pharmaceutical industry regarding the comparison of **different technologies for the generation of water for injection** with a desired output of 1.500 l/h.  The following technological alternatives were considered: distillation by multiple stages, thermal compression technology, double reverse osmosis with electro deionization and ultrafiltration (cold generation), and a hybrid system (cold generation with thermal compression).  The results of the study showed that the thermal compression technology achieves a significant reduction in terms of water supply compared to distillation, and even more when compared to both reverse osmosis, electro deionization, ultrafiltration and hybrid system.  Moreover, a **thermal compression** system is the **most efficient option** in the use of water supply by **generating the lowest amount of waste water**.  Finally, thermal compression technology requires **less steam consumption** compared to the distillation and this is an advantage in terms of decarbonization.   The selection of a process technology for a given scope is indeed the result of a global assessment of advantages and disadvantages and a cost/benefits balance, including equipment and maintenance costs and utility needs, and the water consumption is a considerable factor for the selection.  An accurate selection of the manufacturing process technology and the implementation of good operations and maintenance practices can result in a significant benefit for the **conservation of water**.    ![EP4_Site Banner (1)](https://blog.pqegroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/EP4_Site%20Banner%20(1).jpg?width=2000&name=EP4_Site%20Banner%20(1).jpg) ## Optimize your Facility Take the first step in ensuring your plant project meets all your business objectives and regulatory requirements. **[Contact us](https://www2.pqegroup.com/contact-us/)** today to assess the feasibility of your facility design and by using our **three key principles** of project optimization in terms of **cost**, **time** and **quality**. [Get started](https://www2.pqegroup.com/engineering-construction/) #### More on this topic [Engineering ![Circular Strategies in the Life Science Industry](https://blog.pqegroup.com/hubfs/Copertins%20EP5_1-1.jpg)](https://blog.pqegroup.com/engineering/circular-strategies-in-the-life-science-industry) 07 Jun 2024 ## [Circular Strategies in the Life Science Industry Explore circular strategies in the life science industry to optimize resource use, reduce waste, and mitigate environmental impact.](https://blog.pqegroup.com/engineering/circular-strategies-in-the-life-science-industry) [Engineering ![Towards a Greener Pharmaceutical Industry: Energy Efficiency](https://blog.pqegroup.com/hubfs/Energy%20Efficiency%20blog%20banner.png)](https://blog.pqegroup.com/engineering/energy-efficiency) 19 Apr 2024 ## [Towards a Greener Pharmaceutical Industry: Energy Efficiency Discover how the pharmaceutical industry can achieve energy efficiency through innovative strategies, leading to reduced consumption and decarbonization.](https://blog.pqegroup.com/engineering/energy-efficiency) [Engineering ![Decarbonization actions in the pharmaceutical industry](https://blog.pqegroup.com/hubfs/Decarbonization_Site%20Banner_1.jpg)](https://blog.pqegroup.com/engineering/decarbonization-actions-in-the-pharmaceutical-industry) 21 Mar 2024 ## [Decarbonization actions in the pharmaceutical industry Learn how the pharma industry is tackling decarbonization challenges and implementing sustainable measures to reduce emissions and improve efficiency.](https://blog.pqegroup.com/engineering/decarbonization-actions-in-the-pharmaceutical-industry) ![new PQE logo white tagline](https://blog.pqegroup.com/hubfs/new%20PQE%20logo%20white%20tagline.png) ISO 9001 Certified compliance services provider since 1998.   ![Logo ISO 9001](https://blog.pqegroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logo%20ISO%209001.png?width=125&name=Logo%20ISO%209001.png)   - Discover PQE - [Work with PQE](https://www2.pqegroup.com/careers/) - [Locations](https://www2.pqegroup.com/contact-us/#locations) - [About](https://www2.pqegroup.com/about/) - [Blog](https://blog.pqegroup.com/) - Useful Links - [Privacy Notice](https://www2.pqegroup.com/privacy-notice/) - [Cookie Policy](https://www2.pqegroup.com/cookie-policy/) - [Model of Organization](https://www2.pqegroup.com/model-of-organization/) - [Ethical Code](https://www2.pqegroup.com/ethical-code/) English - [English](https://blog.pqegroup.com/engineering/preserving-natural-resources-in-the-pharmaceutical-industry-strategies-for-responsible-utilization) - [日本語](https://blog.pqegroup.com/ja/engineering/preserving-natural-resources-in-the-pharmaceutical-industry-strategies-for-responsible-utilization) CHANGE LANGUAGE Copyright **2024** | Proudly powered by **PQE Group Creative Team** [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/pqe-group) [![twitter](https://blog.pqegroup.com/hubfs/twitter-w.png) Twitter](https://twitter.com/PQEGroup) [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/PQEGroup/) [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/lifeatpqe) [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/c/PQEGroup) [Xing](https://www.xing.com/pages/pqegroup)