AstraZeneca and Partners Debut Blueprint for Decarbonizing Industrial Heat in Supply Chains

AstraZeneca, sustainability consultancy ERM, and supply chain intelligence platform Secaro announced today the launch of their Clean Heat Program, which is designed to bridge critical gaps in heat decarbonization across complex industrial supply chains.¹

By integrating data-driven insights with specialized technical advisory services, the program aims to help companies bolster energy security, manage price volatility, and accelerate emissions reductions in one of the industry’s most carbon-intensive areas.²

"It's clear that a programme like this is the fastest and most effective way to decarbonise heat in our supply chain,” said Rob Williams, senior director of sustainable procurement at AstraZeneca, in a release.^{1 “}We are long-term partners with Secaro and ERM, and now we're expanding relationships with peers, buyers from other industries and suppliers to plan, fund and launch the projects that will make heat decarbonisation a reality.”¹

While many pharmaceutical organizations have established climate targets, industrial process heat remains a primary barrier to progress, accounting for approximately 18% of global greenhouse gas emissions.² Preliminary data from Secaro’s pharmaceutical program indicates that approximately 80% of a facility’s emissions fall under Scope 1, with 60% generated by the use of natural gas.²

Despite the rising pressure to decarbonize, progress has been slow; currently, fewer than 10% of sites utilize biofuels or other renewable energy sources for direct heat.² Industry projections suggest that without urgent, coordinated action, renewable heat will only reach a 15% share by 2028.² Heat decarbonization efforts often stall due to limited data, technical complexity, and significant financing challenges.¹

What Are the Regulatory and Financial Imperatives?

For those managing pharmaceutical supply chains, the transition to low-carbon heat is no longer elective. Evolving regulatory frameworks, such as the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, and new Securities and Exchange Commission disclosure rules, have significantly heightened scrutiny on suppliers.²

Emily Prior, Chief Growth Officer at Secaro, emphasized the strategic necessity of this shift, describing decarbonization as “business critical.”¹

“It is an essential way to protect revenue, reduce exposure to energy price shocks, and stay ahead of regulation and investor and customer expectations,” she said.¹

Financial barriers have historically served as a major roadblock, as heat projects often fail to secure internal investment due to longer-term payback periods that do not align with corporate capital constraints.² Furthermore, fragmented project scopes often lack the scale required to attract external capital.² The Clean Heat Program addresses these systemic challenges by providing access to a range of financing solutions, including an EU-based heat decarbonization fund and off-balance-sheet financing partners.¹

How Can a Data-Driven Collaborative Model Accelerate Heat Decarbonization Across Pharma Supply Chains?

The Clean Heat Program combines Secaro’s digital foundation with ERM’s technical delivery capabilities. Secaro’s environmental supply chain database—now equipped with heat-specific insights—leverages a network of over 8,000 buyers, suppliers, and solution providers to pinpoint high-impact opportunities.¹ ERM then applies these insights to conduct detailed heat assessments and guide suppliers through solution identification and business case development.

Jon Hughes, Partner at ERM, noted the importance of moving from theory to implementation: “By combining Secaro's data and ERM's technical expertise, we can accelerate the delivery of heat decarbonization projects that have historically struggled to move beyond preliminary assessment. The Clean Heat Program will provide clients with the practical implementation support required to decarbonize industrial heat while strengthening resilience, reducing risk, and unlocking value across supply chains.”¹

What Is AstraZeneca’s Role as a Founding Partner?

As a founding partner, AstraZeneca will gain early access to the program’s tools and roadmaps to drive collaborative action among its suppliers and industry peers.¹ The company aims to lead by example, utilizing the program to advance emissions reductions where progress has previously stalled.²

The Clean Heat Program is designed to build upon and work closely with existing industry groups, including the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Initiative , the Sustainable Markets Initiative, and the Scope 3 Peer Group.¹

References

1. ERM. Clean heat program launch: ERM, Secaro and AstraZeneca target supply chain heat decarbonization. Published March 16, 2026. Accessed March 16, 2026. https://www.erm.com/about/news/erm-secaro-and-astrazeneca-launch-clean-heat-program-to-accelerate-supply-chain-heat-decarbonization/.
2. King C. How is AstraZeneca using heat to decarbonise supply chains? Energy Digital. Published March 13, 2026. Accessed March 16, 2026. https://energydigital.com/news/how-the-clean-heat-program-will-accelerate-decarbonisation