Cost driven green kaizen

Purpose and goal

The P2030 Idea project Cost driven Green Kaizen has had the overall vision of reducing environmental waste from Pharma industry of AstraZeneca in Sweden and globally. The Lean tool GPM (Green Performance Map) designed for operative environmental improvement work in manufacturing industry has been adapted and tested in two pilots at the AZ production site in Södertälje with very good results. The project has been driven in close co-operation between KTH and AZ and addresses UN sustainability goals 9.4 och 12.6.

Expected results and effects

Green Performance Map (GPM), developed in a VINNOVA project is a method to reduce the environmental waste from production by identifying and visualizing environmental aspects in an input-output model. The method has been tested in 2 pilots at AstraZeneca where cost-saving and environmental improving actions have been identified and prioritized. The tool will be integrated as standard tool within AZ´s lean toolbox at Sweden Operations. The idea project showed that the method with certain adaptation works excellent as driver of environmental improvements in the pharma industry.

Planned approach and implementation

Design and performance of 2 pilots for test and adaption of an earlier developed green kaizen method (GPM) has worked very well with extensive engagement from AstraZeneca. The cost perspective has proven to be a driver for the green improvement work, i.e. the decision to have a cost focus in the idea project was correct. Furthermore, we see that the idea project as a format worked excellenct within this project which had as a base to transfer knowledge from one sector to another through a rather concrete and operative project plan and performance.