Company Profiles

Johnson & Johnson

United States

Johnson & Johnson is well known for its consumer health products, and it has additional business divisions in Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices & Diagnostics. Across all its divisions, Johnson & Johnson has implemented myriad initiatives to address many of the company's largest areas of environmental impact. For example, through its Design for Environment product development program, Johnson & Johnson uncovered a new synthesis route that more than tripled the manufacturing yield of an analgesic drug, thereby reducing waste volume by approximately 80% and eliminating the use of about 6 million liters of solvent per year. The company also demonstrates leadership through its climate change initiatives and achievements. It has attained absolute CO2 reductions year-on-year, regardless of increased sale. Johnson & Johnson is the largest corporate user of on-site solar power in the United States and aims to reduce, in absolute terms, its CO2 emissions without the use of renewable energy credits. Johnson & Johnson has also identified climate change as a potential opportunity for the company, stating that some of its healthcare products and services may see increased utilization from the effects of climate change and the company will "evaluate additional opportunities to invest in products and services that are designed to minimize or adapt to the effects of climate change." While a leader on many issues, Johnson & Johnson could improve its policies on environmental management of pharmaceutical waste. Portfolio 21 has asked the company to strengthen its position and research pertaining to pharmaceuticals in the environment and to commit to sterilizing all biotech waste independent of its categorized biosafety level.

Biotechnology Involvement

Johnson & Johnson utilizes biotechnology within its pharmaceutical and diagnostics divisions. The company's biotech manufacturing facilities are located in Pennsylvania, Missouri, Puerto Rico, he Netherlands, and Ireland. At these sites, genetically modified mammalian cells and E. coli bacteria cells are used to produce the desired proteins for medicinal purposes. Johnson & Johnson's facilities adhere to local laws and regulations that govern biotech applications and also pass Portfolio 21's biotechnology criteria. For example, at its domestic sites wastewater is pH adjusted to kill cells before discharge, while at its Irish facility wastewater is heat treated to kill cells. Read Portfolio 21's Biotechnology Policy for more information on biotechnology in the healthcare industry.

To the best of our knowledge the above information is accurate and was obtained from sources we believe to be reliable. Neither the information presented above nor any opinion expressed shall be construed as an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy the security. The views expressed are those of portfolio management as of 12/30/08 and may not reflect current opinions or subsequent events.