How We Became My Green Lab® Certified: Behind the Scenes at PROGEN
In a field where energy-intensive equipment, single-use plastics, and chemical waste are standard, we asked ourselves: Can we do better? In June 2025, the answer took shape: we earned My Green Lab Certification, achieving the Green Level (the highest level available) at our first attempt at the certification process. Here’s how we got there:
Why We Pursued Certification
In 2016, PROGEN had already begun to adopt a more environmentally conscious approach. It started with small changes in the office and lab spaces. We switched our lights to LED, reduced cooling, switched to a green energy supplier, and improved waste management – whether through better recycling in our shared kitchen or the labs.
After these small but steady steps, we formed an internal sustainability working group in 2023 to take our sustainability journey to the next level. This group participated in regular sessions at bioRN Life Sciences Cluster, a regional science and industry innovation cluster, to learn from other regional biotech companies about the sustainability steps they were taking. PROGEN has earned a sustainability award from the City of Heidelberg, demonstrating that our efforts, which began with small changes, have evolved and become an integral part of our core practices at PROGEN.
However, we wanted an internationally recognizable sign. When we decided to pursue a My Green Lab certification, we didn't have to make drastic changes, as our sustainability measures were mostly already in place. The label confirmed that we took the proper steps in reducing PROGEN’s environmental footprint while maintaining the highest standards in research and production.
From Discussion to Action
By early 2025, we kicked off the official process with internal workshops and a site-wide assessment, led by cross-functional teams across R&D, QC, and Production. Participation was enthusiastic and widespread, indicating that this was a company-wide mindset.
The My Green Lab® assessment spans 14 key categories, including:
- Energy and water use
- Equipment efficiency
- Waste management
- Purchasing policies
- Lab engagement and training
This in-depth evaluation helped us identify both strengths and opportunities for improvement.
Key Measures We Took
When we look back at the changes we implemented, we see they made a tangible difference. Some of them are:
- 39% reduction in CO₂ emissions per employee
- 43% reduction in waste per employee
- Over 50% reduction in scope 2 emissions per employee
- Raised ultra-low freezer setpoints from −80 °C to −75 °C, saving nearly 500 kWh per unit annually
- Despite growing our team and facilities, electricity consumption decreased by 19% in 2023 vs. 2020
These efforts helped us reach the Green Level – the highest level in the certification, and they’re also embedded in how we operate every day, from more sustainable packaging to deeper engagement with green chemistry and supplier accountability.
“This certification was driven by a bottom-up approach. Everyone from R&D to production played a role. It showed us how small changes add up to real impact. Earning the My Green Lab® Certification reflects our teamwork, confirms our sustainability efforts, and reinforces our commitment to keep raising the bar for responsible science.”
— Katja Betts, CEO
Sustainability Is a Continuous Journey
Achieving the My Green Lab® Certification is a meaningful milestone that we celebrate wholeheartedly and proudly, but it's not the end. We're committed to pushing further, guided by an ESG framework that includes:
- Environmental: Reduce emissions, energy use, and waste
- Social: Support employees and give back to communities
- Governance: Uphold transparency, compliance, and ethics
What’s Next?
Compared to other fields, being environmentally friendly in biotech can be more challenging, as hygiene and protocols often require single-use equipment, and storage demands specific freezer temperatures. However, it is not impossible, and there is always room for improvement. This is how we were able to progress steadily in this area, becoming more sustainable in our overall practices and achieving lab certification with a stellar score of 83%, which earned us the highest label, Green Level.
At PROGEN, we keep sustainability high on the agenda and explore ways to do things more sustainably – the next steps are to maintain the great work in energy and waste management and strive to find more sustainable alternatives to certain chemicals used in the labs.
**PROGEN labs have been My Green Lab™ certified at the Green Level. The My Green Lab™ registered trademark is owned and controlled by My Green Lab, Corp. More details at http://www.mygreenlab.org.
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