Chiesi and Bespak Partner to Advance Carbon Minimal Inhaler Production With UK Manufacturing Site

Key Takeaways

• Expanded partnership boosts pMDI capacity at Bespak UK site.
• Chiesi aims to cut pMDI carbon footprint up to 90%.
• Bespak positions UK as sustainable inhaler manufacturing hub.
• Collaboration supports Chiesi’s Net Zero target by 2035.
• Low‑GWP propellant inhalers retain familiar patient devices.

Summary

Chiesi Group and inhalation CDMO Bespak have expanded their long‑standing partnership by increasing pressurized metered‑dose inhaler (pMDI) manufacturing capacity at Bespak’s Holmes Chapel, UK site. The move supports Chiesi’s Carbon Minimal Inhaler (CMI) program, which targets up to a 90 % reduction in the carbon footprint of pMDIs through low‑global‑warming‑potential propellants. Both companies cite sustainability as a core strategic priority, aligning with Chiesi’s Net‑Zero by 2035 ambition and Bespak’s decarbonisation roadmap. The expanded collaboration positions the UK facility as a hub for next‑generation, low‑carbon inhaler production within the global supply chain.

Pulse Analysis

The inhaler market has come under increasing scrutiny as pMDIs contribute a disproportionate share of healthcare‑related greenhouse‑gas emissions. Regulators in Europe and North America are encouraging a transition to low‑global‑warming‑potential propellants, while patients and payers demand environmentally responsible therapies. Against this backdrop, manufacturers are racing to redesign delivery devices without sacrificing efficacy or user familiarity. The Chiesi‑Bespak expansion arrives at a pivotal moment, offering the industry a scalable solution that aligns with emerging sustainability mandates. Companies that act now can capture early‑mover advantage in a market increasingly defined by environmental stewardship.

Chiesi’s Carbon Minimal Inhaler program targets a 90 % cut in pMDI carbon intensity by switching to next‑generation propellants while retaining the extrafine formulation and device ergonomics clinicians trust. The portfolio will span both dry‑powder inhalers and low‑GWP pMDIs, giving physicians a seamless migration path for patients. By leveraging Bespak’s proven expertise in valve and actuator engineering, Chiesi can scale production without compromising clinical performance. The partnership also embeds measurable science‑based targets, reinforcing Chiesi’s broader Net‑Zero by 2035 commitment. Early clinical data suggest comparable dose delivery, reassuring regulators and patients about the therapeutic equivalence of the new propellant.

The expanded capacity at Bespak’s Holmes Chapel facility turns the UK into a strategic hub for low‑carbon inhaler supply chains, attracting other brand owners seeking sustainable manufacturing partners. This reinforces the region’s inhalation R&D cluster and creates high‑value jobs focused on green chemistry and advanced device engineering. For the broader pharmaceutical sector, the collaboration demonstrates a viable commercial model for decarbonising legacy products at scale. As climate‑focused procurement policies tighten, such alliances will likely become a competitive differentiator, accelerating industry‑wide adoption of eco‑friendly respiratory therapies. Investors are also watching these sustainability moves, as ESG metrics become integral to valuation models in the life‑science sector.