Managing Director
Akums Drugs & Pharmaceuticals Limited
In today’s business environment, success is no longer measured solely by revenue growth and market leadership. Organizations are increasingly evaluated on how responsibly they operate, how effectively they manage environmental impact, how they support communities, and how transparently they govern their businesses. At Akums Drugs & Pharmaceuticals Limited, sustainability has evolved from a corporate responsibility initiative into a strategic business philosophy.
Under the leadership of Mr. Sandeep Jain, Founder and Managing Director, Akums has consistently demonstrated that growth and sustainability can progress hand in hand. His vision extends beyond creating India’s leading Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO); it encompasses building a future-ready organization that contributes positively to society, the environment, and future generations.
This commitment is reflected in the company’s ESG performance. For FY 2024-25, Akums voluntarily received an ESG Score of 63 out of 100 from NSE Sustainability Ratings & Analytics Limited. In addition, SES ESG Research assigned the company an ESG rating of 58.8 during the same period. These scores represent significant progress and reinforce Akums’ commitment toward integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance principles into its long-term growth strategy.
ESG as a Strategic Imperative
Mr. Sandeep Jain has often emphasized that responsible growth is sustainable growth. His approach to ESG is rooted in the belief that businesses have a responsibility that extends beyond shareholders. They must create value for employees, communities, customers, regulators, and the environment.
For Akums, ESG is not a compliance exercise; it is a culture-driven movement embedded across operations. The company has launched multiple sustainability initiatives that encourage employee participation, resource conservation, environmental stewardship, and community engagement.
The results are becoming increasingly visible across environmental performance indicators and employee-led sustainability programs.
Investing in Nature for a Better Future
One of the most impactful environmental initiatives championed by Akums is the “Invest in Nature for a Better Future” program.
During FY 2024-25, Akums facilitated the plantation of approximately 5,000 native trees in Uttarakhand. Native species play a critical role in ecosystem restoration because they require less maintenance, support local biodiversity, improve soil quality, and enhance carbon sequestration.
Building upon this success, the company has established an ambitious target of planting 10,000 native trees before the conclusion of FY 2026-27.
This initiative aligns with global climate priorities. According to environmental studies, mature trees absorb significant quantities of carbon dioxide during their lifetime while simultaneously improving air quality and supporting biodiversity. By focusing on native species rather than ornamental plantations, Akums is adopting a scientifically responsible approach to ecological restoration.
For Mr. Jain, tree plantation is not merely an environmental activity—it is an investment in future generations.
Digital Transformation Supporting Sustainability
One of the most practical ESG measures implemented at Akums is the promotion of virtual meetings.
Across industries, business travel contributes substantially to greenhouse gas emissions, traffic congestion, fuel consumption, and productivity losses. Recognizing these challenges, Akums has encouraged employees and teams to adopt virtual collaboration whenever feasible.
The benefits are multidimensional:
- Reduced fuel consumption
- Lower carbon emissions
- Less traffic congestion
- Reduced noise pollution
- Improved employee convenience
- Significant time savings
- Enhanced work-life balance
This initiative demonstrates how digital transformation can directly contribute to environmental sustainability while simultaneously improving operational efficiency.
In a rapidly digitizing business environment, Akums has shown that technology adoption can serve both business and environmental objectives.
Encouraging Car-Pooling for Carbon Reduction
Transportation remains one of the largest contributors to carbon emissions worldwide.
To address this challenge, Akums actively encourages employees to participate in car-pooling arrangements, particularly among colleagues residing in nearby localities.
A shared commute results in:
- Reduced fuel usage
- Lower emissions per employee
- Reduced traffic burden
- Improved employee engagement
- Lower transportation costs
While car-pooling may appear simple, its cumulative environmental impact can be significant when adopted across a large workforce.
Mr. Jain’s sustainability philosophy recognizes that meaningful ESG progress often results from collective behavioral changes rather than large capital investments alone.
Supporting Indigenous Textiles and Local Artisans
Sustainability extends beyond environmental protection. Social sustainability and community empowerment are equally important pillars of ESG.
Akums encourages employees to support indigenous clothing and local artisans by promoting Indian-made apparel and traditional craftsmanship.
This initiative contributes to:
- Preservation of cultural heritage
- Support for local economies
- Strengthening of artisan communities
- Reduction in transportation-related emissions associated with imported products
- Promotion of self-reliance and responsible consumption
In doing so, Akums connects sustainability with cultural responsibility, reinforcing the broader principles of inclusive economic growth.
Promoting Organic Practices in Green Initiatives
Another noteworthy initiative involves encouraging employees to use organic manure during plantation activities at homes, offices, parks, residential societies, and community spaces.
Organic manure helps:
- Improve soil health
- Enhance water retention
- Reduce chemical contamination
- Promote microbial biodiversity
- Support sustainable landscaping
This approach ensures that plantation efforts contribute to long-term ecological health rather than merely increasing tree counts.
Accelerating the Transition to Clean and Renewable Energy
One of the most significant sustainability priorities under the leadership of Mr. Sandeep Jain is Akums’ commitment to reducing its carbon footprint through the adoption of renewable and cleaner energy sources.
As India’s pharmaceutical sector moves toward environmentally responsible manufacturing, Akums is actively transforming its energy ecosystem by integrating solar power and biomass fuel into its operations. This dual-energy strategy not only reduces dependence on conventional fossil fuels but also contributes meaningfully toward national and global climate goals.
Solar Transformation: Powering a Sustainable Future
Akums has made substantial investments in renewable energy infrastructure, with a 1,200 KWP solar power plant already operational across its facilities. The company is now preparing for the next phase of its renewable energy journey with an ambitious plan to add 4,000 KWP of additional solar capacity before the end of FY 2026-27.
Upon completion, Akums will have a cumulative solar capacity of 5,200 KWP, representing a major milestone in its sustainability roadmap.
The environmental benefits of solar energy are substantial:
- Significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions
- Reduced dependence on grid-based fossil fuel power
- Lower long-term energy costs
- Enhanced energy security and operational resilience
- Contribution toward India’s renewable energy transition
India has emerged as one of the world’s fastest-growing solar energy markets, with solar power becoming a key pillar of the country’s clean energy ambitions. By investing in large-scale solar infrastructure, Akums is aligning itself with national sustainability objectives while strengthening its position as a responsible pharmaceutical manufacturing leader.
For Mr. Sandeep Jain, solar transformation is more than an energy project – it is a long-term investment in environmental stewardship and future-ready manufacturing.
Biomass Fuel: Lower Emissions Through Circular Resource Utilization
Complementing its solar initiatives, Akums is also increasing the use of biomass fuel as a cleaner alternative to conventional fossil fuels.
Biomass energy utilizes renewable organic materials and agricultural residues that would otherwise be discarded, thereby supporting circular economy principles. Compared with traditional fossil fuels, biomass can significantly reduce net carbon emissions while promoting more efficient utilization of natural resources.
The adoption of biomass fuel offers several sustainability advantages:
- Lower carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions
- Reduced dependence on conventional fossil fuels
- Productive utilization of agricultural and organic waste
- Support for circular economy practices
- Improved environmental performance across manufacturing operations
- Contribution toward cleaner industrial energy systems
The use of biomass demonstrates Akums’ commitment to exploring diversified pathways for decarbonization rather than relying on a single sustainability solution.
A Holistic Clean Energy Strategy
Together, solar power and biomass fuel form the foundation of Akums’ clean energy transformation strategy. This integrated approach reflects Mr. Sandeep Jain’s vision of building a pharmaceutical organization that balances operational excellence with environmental responsibility.
The combination of renewable electricity generation and cleaner thermal energy solutions enables Akums to steadily reduce its environmental impact while maintaining the high manufacturing standards expected from one of India’s leading pharmaceutical CDMOs.
As the company progresses toward its target of 5,200 KWP solar capacity and expands the use of biomass-based energy systems, Akums continues to demonstrate how sustainability can be embedded into industrial growth and long-term business success.
This transition represents not only an investment in cleaner energy but also a commitment to future generations, reinforcing Akums’ belief that responsible manufacturing and sustainable development must go hand in hand.
Creating a Culture of Sustainability
Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Akums’ ESG journey is that sustainability is not confined to policies and infrastructure. It is increasingly becoming a culture.
The company’s initiatives actively engage employees in everyday actions that collectively generate meaningful environmental and social impact.
From virtual meetings and car-pooling to tree plantation and support for local artisans, employees are encouraged to become active participants in sustainability rather than passive observers.
This culture-driven approach reflects Mr. Sandeep Jain’s belief that ESG success is ultimately driven by people.
Looking Ahead
As global stakeholders place increasing emphasis on ESG performance, companies that embed sustainability into their business strategy will be better positioned for long-term success.
Under the leadership of Mr. Sandeep Jain, Akums has demonstrated that sustainability can coexist with operational excellence, business growth, and industry leadership.
The company’s ESG ratings, renewable energy initiatives, afforestation programs, water conservation efforts, biomass fuel adoption, and employee-driven sustainability campaigns collectively illustrate a holistic approach toward responsible business practices.
The journey is ongoing, but the direction is clear. Akums is not merely adapting to sustainability expectations – it is actively helping shape a more responsible future for the pharmaceutical industry.
Through visionary leadership, employee participation, and measurable action, Mr. Sandeep Jain continues to guide Akums toward becoming a benchmark for ESG excellence in India’s pharmaceutical and manufacturing sectors.