Driving Sustainability and Innovation

A conversation with Rajendra B Chunodkar, President Manufacturing Operations, Lupin

Lupin, a global leader in pharmaceuticals, is setting benchmarks in sustainable manufacturing with its unwavering commitment to Green Chemistry. At the forefront of this transformative approach is Rajendra B Chunodkar, President – Manufacturing Operations, whose leadership has spearheaded initiatives to minimise waste, reduce hazardous substances, and embrace cutting-edge technologies. Through a combination of innovation and adherence to global sustainability standards, Lupin has significantly enhanced its operational efficiency and eco-footprint, achieving impressive reductions in waste, water, and solvent usage.

In this exclusive interview, Chunodkar delves into the strategies and measurable impacts of Green Chemistry, including the application of telescoping processes, biocatalytic routes, and statistical tools to optimise manufacturing.

He also discusses the challenges of implementing these practices at scale and how digitalisation, AI, and automation are streamlining Lupin's operations.

The conversation extends to Lupin's expertise in complex generics, highlighting how the company balances regulatory compliance, sustainability, and innovation to meet global demand. This insightful dialogue offers a blueprint for integrating sustainability with operational excellence in modern manufacturing.

What strategies has the company adopted to minimise waste and hazards?

Lupin is advancing the adoption of green chemistry to minimise hazardous substance generation by leveraging metrics like atom economy and e-factor. Our objectives align with the 12 principles of green chemistry, and we regularly train process development scientists to embed these principles in their work. This proactive approach focuses on eliminating hazardous materials at the source rather than addressing waste streams post-production.