MSD drives smarter sustainability

MSD’s Singapore operations are proving that life-saving science can go hand in hand with ambitious climate action.

At its manufacturing site here, the global healthcare company has made energy efficiency and carbon reduction part of daily operations, setting a clear benchmark for environmental stewardship in the industry.

MSD’s dedicated energy team manages regulatory reports, chairs energy programmes, and develops the energy budgets. These efforts support the company’s target of achieving net-zero by 2045, as well as its near-term aim of sourcing 100 per cent renewable electricity by 2025.

Leveraging technology has been central to this journey.

Frank Walley, associate vice-president, MSD manufacturing division, Singapore, says: “Harnessing the power of IoT sensors and AI-driven analytics, we are redefining the future of energy management. No longer confined to reactive measures, we now anticipate inefficiencies in real time, enabling us to act swiftly and decisively before challenges arise.”

The use of digital tools for remote monitoring, predictive maintenance, and daily consumption analysis has helped the company uncover new efficiency opportunities while maximising equipment uptime.
 

MSD also attributes its momentum to strong engagement at every level.

Engineers are equipped with specialist expertise in areas such as HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) and compressed air efficiency, while employees are encouraged to participate in industry conferences and training to broaden their knowledge.

“Sustainability is no longer just a goal – it is the very fabric of how we operate every day. Through deliberate capability-building, we empower our engineers with cutting-edge expertise in HVAC optimisation, compressed air efficiency, and digital energy monitoring,” says Walley.

The company also conducts monthly site walkdowns to spot inefficiencies that systems might overlook.

“During a recent walkdown, our team uncovered a steam trap malfunction causing significant heat loss – an intermittent issue that automated systems missed. By catching it early, we prevented unnecessary energy waste. This moment powerfully illustrates the irreplaceable value of human insight working hand in hand with digital technology,” says Walley.

These efforts have delivered significant results. Between 2021 and 2024, MSD quadrupled its energy savings from 8.17 TJ to 34.2 TJ by implementing high-impact mitigation projects and robust internal policies.

The impact of these initiatives was recognised at the EENP Awards 2025, where MSD received the Excellence in Energy, Greenhouse Gas Management Award, affirming its success in embedding sustainability into its operations.

Looking ahead, MSD will explore renewable energy solutions, including installing solar panels in unconventional locations, while expanding its use of Internet of Things and artificial intelligence to monitor energy consumption.

Its energy road map also maintains an action list that tracks opportunities and corrective actions to ensure accountability and progress towards its net-zero goals.

By combining human insight, advanced technology, and long-term vision, the company is advancing energy efficiency while reinforcing its resilience as a global healthcare manufacturer.
 

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