The transition to a more sustainable industry increasingly relies on transforming production processes. Guided by this principle, ACG, a global leader in solutions for the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries, has taken another step in its global decarbonization strategy by installing a heat pump system at its capsule manufacturing plant in Pouso Alegre, Minas Gerais. This technology replaces the use of LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) with electricity, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
This initiative is part of the company’s global sustainability agenda, which aims to achieve Net Zero emissions by 2050, expand the use of renewable energy, and continuously invest in solutions that reduce the environmental impact of its operations, thereby reinforcing its commitment to people, the planet, and sustainable business growth.
Beyond adopting this new technology, the Brazilian facility is already delivering tangible results. In 2025, the Pouso Alegre operation avoided the emission of 858.382 tons of carbon dioxide (CO₂) by using energy from renewable sources, a result that has been certified and integrated into ACG’s environmental initiatives.
The new heat pump system, developed in partnership with Oilon, recently began operations on July 23, 2026. Unlike conventional systems that heat water by burning fossil fuels, this technology operates as an industrial heat pump, using electricity to power production processes. This enables the generation of thermal energy with much greater efficiency and virtually eliminates direct emissions resulting from LPG combustion. The new solution is expected to reduce CO₂ emissions by approximately 1,140 tons annually, a figure that could rise further as the equipment’s operations stabilize. “This represents a significant shift in how we generate thermal energy. Instead of generating heat through fuel combustion, we utilize electrical energy to transfer heat much more efficiently. This lowers our emissions, improves operational efficiency, and allows us to track, in real time, indicators that demonstrate these environmental and energy-related gains,” states Milton Lima, Operations Director at ACG Brazil.
The system also operates with high energy efficiency and features real-time digital monitoring, enabling the tracking of key metrics such as:
Energy consumption;
- Operational performance (COP);
- Fuel savings;
- Carbon emission reductions.
This data provides the company with a broader view of the equipment’s performance, supporting decision-making to further enhance operational efficiency.
The benefits extend beyond the multinational itself to ACG’s customers. As manufacturers of medicines and supplements strengthen their ESG strategies and expand their decarbonization goals, there is a growing need for suppliers capable of demonstrating sustainable practices across the entire supply chain. By investing in such technologies, the pharmaceutical company helps its partners advance their own environmental commitments without compromising the quality, safety, and reliability demanded by the industry.
“Sustainability has moved beyond being merely a reputational differentiator to becoming a core business criterion. Our customers seek suppliers who share their environmental commitments and can contribute to the entire supply chain. When we invest in this area, we deliver value not only internally but also to the companies developing medicines and supplements worldwide,” highlights Milton Lima. The Brazilian initiative aligns with the company’s global stance, which emphasizes that the transition to a low-carbon economy relies on a combination of technological innovation, operational efficiency, and ongoing investment in renewable energy. Accordingly, ACG is pursuing greenhouse gas emission reduction targets across its entire value chain, cementing sustainability as a key strategic driver.
ESG criteria are becoming increasingly important to investors, customers, and regulators. Consequently, initiatives of this nature strengthen the company’s market position, demonstrating its readiness to meet current industry demands.
“The ESG agenda has shifted from a future-oriented vision to a present-day imperative. We want our customers to recognize ACG not only for the quality of our products but also for our ability to innovate responsibly and contribute to a more sustainable pharmaceutical industry. Each project of this kind reinforces our commitment to leading this transformation and creating value for the entire healthcare value chain,” the Director concludes.