At Life Technologies, global citizenship is expressed in many ways. It’s how we interact and co-exist with our people, our communities, and our environment. It’s in the ethical conduct that we compose ourselves, and the standards we aspire to. And at its essential core, our global citizenship is found in our breadth of products and services that advance scientific discovery to make the world a better place.

In 2010, we began to articulate the opportunities and challenges inherent in becoming a low-carbon business. As a supplier and partner to many of the world’s most respected scientific institutions, we have a unique perspective on climate change. We are closely looking at how we, as a corporation, as scientists, and as individuals, can contribute to solutions that are necessary for society to thrive in a low-carbon world.

Specifically, we are looking to transform the way we use energy and natural resources—examining the entire life cycle of our products and services. As we move away from the traditional, take-make-waste linear model of manufacturing, we are recognizing new opportunities for innovation, collaboration, and partnership.

2010 highlights

  • We made significant progress in resource efficiency. Two years into our four-year goal of 25% reductions across the board, we have reduced energy use by 10%; CO2 emissions by 9%; and water intake by 25%.
  • We progressed in our move away from polystyrene coolers for cold transport of consumables products, converting two of our largest-volume products to ambient temperature transport, eliminating over 100,000 Styrofoam® coolers and 700,000 pounds of dry ice and gel packs annually, increasing freight density and reducing 300 tons of carbon emissions.
  • We introduced the Ion Torrent™ Personal Genome Machine™, a semiconductor technology that holds promise to expedite the discovery and selection of organisms for their ability to generate oil, create energy, produce food, desalinate water, and bioremediate pollution.
  • We sequenced the Jatropha curcas genome using the SOLiD® 4.0 system. With potential ranging from medicinal use to next-generation biofuel, the relatively small seeds of this plant carry huge impact. We continued our work sequencing algae, a potential biofuel and carbon sequestration crop, and created kits for researchers who are evolving that science.
  • We partnered with UL Environment®, a third-party certification source, who will provide clarity for the validation of claims and certification to standards for our instruments.

This year’s report acknowledges the finest attributes of the people of Life Technologies, who are not only our inspiration but also our source of accomplishment and innovation. Join us in celebrating the milestones of 2010, and on our journey as global citizens.

Cristina Amorim

Vice-President, Global EHS and Citizenship