Making the 5 Asks a Reality – Solventum’s Sustainability Journey

The transformation of a major healthcare business into an independent company is a significant undertaking, especially when it coincides with increasing expectations around environmental responsibility.

Solventum, which officially spun off from 3M in April 2024, has spent its first year establishing the foundations of a new organization while aligning with the sustainability requirements of key partners, including NHS England and NHS Supply Chain.

As part of our Value Release Programme, Solventum has actively engaged in dialogue to meet the expectations outlined in the Procurement Policy Note (PPN) on Carbon Reduction Plans (CRPs). These requirements apply to all suppliers, regardless of contract value, and are central to the NHS’s broader net-zero ambitions.

The PPN guidance outlines several essential components of a CRP:

• A signed declaration committing to net-zero emissions by 2050 (at the latest)
• Reporting of baseline and current year greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across Scopes 1, 2, and 3 (covering five Scope 3 categories)
• Defined carbon reduction targets and environmental management measures relevant to contract delivery
• Public availability of the CRP on the supplier’s website
• Formal sign-off at an appropriate level within 12 months of procurement.

From the outset, Solventum has demonstrated a clear intent to integrate sustainability into its corporate structure. The company has built robust governance structures, including:

• Appointment of a Chief Sustainability Officer
• Formation of an ESG Advisory Committee
• Integration of sustainability oversight into Board-level committees.

A double materiality assessment helped Solventum identify the most significant environmental and social issues both impacting and impacted by its operations.

In line with NHS expectations, Solventum submitted an interim CRP during its first year of independence. While still in the process of establishing its own environmental baselines and verifying data, the company made a formal commitment to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across its value chain by 2050.

This includes ambitious interim targets for 2030, such as sourcing 100% renewable electricity and significantly reducing Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. In fact, with 47.4% of its total electricity procured from renewable sources in 2024, the company is strategically transitioning its global manufacturing sites to 100% renewable electricity, alongside operational efficiency projects that minimize energy consumption.

Solventum also plans to submit its GHG reduction targets to the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) for validation, reinforcing its commitment to credible, science-aligned climate action. Solventum has since published an updated CRP, further demonstrating its commitment to transparency and progress in line with regulatory expectations. 

Solventum focuses on designing healthcare products and packaging with intention. Its 4R approach – reduce, reuse, recycle, and renew – is integral to driving circularity in critical healthcare processes.  

Throughout this journey, our sustainability team has maintained close engagement with Solventum, outside of tender activity, to better understand its evolving strategy. These conversations have offered valuable insights into how a newly formed company can navigate regulatory expectations while building a foundation for long-term environmental stewardship.

Solventum’s approach reflects a growing recognition in the healthcare sector: the health of our planet and the health of people are deeply interconnected. The company has identified climate change, operational efficiency, and sustainable product innovation as key focus areas. It is also exploring ways to reduce emissions through supply chain collaboration, circular design, and decarbonisation of manufacturing.

While Solventum’s sustainability journey is still in its early stages, its first-year progress is promising. The company’s transparency, commitment to science-based targets, and investment in governance structures set a strong example for others navigating similar transitions.

As we, together with NHS England, continue working with suppliers to meet net-zero goals, Solventum’s experience offers a compelling case study in how sustainability can be embedded from the ground up, even amid the complexities of corporate transformation.

See our Useful Links section to read more about this journey in Solventum’s recently published Social Impact Report.