Novo Nordisk has had a production site in Gentofte since 1923. At that time it was called Nordisk Insulin Laboratory and produced insulin, as the name indicates. Today production of insulin has been replaced by other activities at the site's five addresses. At Brogårdsvej glucagon and human growth hormone are recovered. At Hagedornsvej there are laboratories and plants for production and packing of human growth hormone, glucagon and Factor VIIa. Our stores are at Lagergårdsvej and our administration facilities are located at Niels Steensens Vej and Vangede Bygade. Today Novo Nordisk in Gentofte has a total of 1,174 employees.

"The factory in Kalundborg is Novo Nordisk's largest production facility. The efforts we make to reduce onsumption of resources as well as discharges from the factory make a big difference to the company's overall nvironmentaperformance."
Flemming Junker, Director and a member of Novo Nordisk's International Environmental Network.

MANAGEMENT REPORT

Novo Nordisk in Gentofte is a production site with a relatively small impact on the environment, limited to waste water discharges, energy-related air emissions and small quantities of organic solvents.

Human growth hormone is produced by fermentation of genetically modified E. coli bacteria in closed systems. All waste water from the fermentation process is pasteurized before being discharged into the sewage system.

In 1997 there was a special focus on recycling nitrogenous waste streams from the recovery of glucagon and human growth hormone. An appli- cation has been filed for a permit to use the waste streams in a purification plant which lacks this source of nitrogen.

The information in the green accounts covers the major environmental aspects of the factory. The green accounts have been prepared by Environmental Affairs in cooperation with relevant production staff at the factory in Gentofte.

Repair of sewage pipe at Brogårdsvej
In 1997 sections of the sewage network were repaired after the measurement of waste water in two wells had shown that the quantity of waste water discharged exceeded the quantity of water purchased. The main sewage pipes were therefore examined by video and it was found that pipes had been fractured, allowing ground water to run into the sewer.

After this the other main pipes at Brogårdsvej were also filmed on video. Minor damage to the pipes was found, but did not require immediate repair. The pipes will be repaired at the beginning of 1998.

Recycling of waste streams
Recovery of glucagon and human growth hormone involves the use of urea. Urea has a high content of nitrogen. Until the end of 1996 this waste stream was reused as fertilizer. However, the introduction of new legislation has meant that we have had to find a new application and from mid-1998, this waste stream will be transported to a biological treatment plant which previously had to purchase urea as a nitrogen source.

Waste streams containing ethanol are now reused at a biogas plant in Stigs Bjergby in mid-Zealand.

In 1998 a new application for a waste water permit for the site will be submitted.


Accidental releases, breaches of regulatory limit values and complaints from neighbours
There have been no accidental releases or breaches of the regulatory limit values set out in our environmental and gene technology approvals.

One complaint has been received concerning noise at Brogårdsvej. The noise was due to a central ventilation outlet on the roof of the building. The ventilation outlet was equipped with a noise absorber in March 1998. The noise has been reduced by 8-12 dB(A) so that it is no longer an inconvenience to our neighbours.

Environmental projects
In 1997 DKK 118,000 was allocated to improving sewage pipes, and approximately DKK 100,000 was spent on noise reduction.

Health and safety In order to achieve a more effective and flexible health and safety organization we have carried out an extensive reorganization in 1997. The objective is to integrate health and safety into everyday work at all levels. The establishment of local targets is now a requirement subject to supervision by senior management. See also the Health and Safety Report.

Address
Novo Nordisk A/S, Brogårdsvej (production), Hagedornsvej (production and research) Niels Steensens Vej (administration), Lagergårdsvej (stores), Vangede Bygade (administration)

DIV No.: 232093

Environmental supervisory authority
Municipality of Gentofte: Waste and waste water County of Copenhagen: Other environmental issues

List items under Chapter 5 of the Danish Environmental Protection Act
D4 - Production of pharmaceuticals
J2 - Companies subject to the obligation to obtain a permit for production using genetically modified organisms pursuant to the Environment and Gene Technology Act

Environmental approvals
Gentofte is covered by 14 individual plant approvals, four gene technology approvals with a permit to carry out production using genetically modified microorganisms, and three large-scale approvals.

Activities

• Fermentation of human growth hormone (Norditropin^®) for treatment of children with growth hormone deficiency, girls with Turner's syndrome and adults with hypophysis disorders
• Recovery of glucagon (GlucaGen^®) for treatment of insulin shock and preliminary treatment in connection with intestinal examinations
• Filling and packaging of Factor VIIa (NovoSeven^®) for haemophiliacs who have formed antibodies against Factor VIII and IX

Most significant consumption of resources and environmental impacts
Consumption of water and of energy leading to emissions of CO₂, SO₂. and NOx

Number of employees
1174 - administration: 25%, research 38%, production 37%

Water consumption: 106,000 m³
All water of drinking quality is from the municipal supply mains. Water consumption has increased by 26% from 1996. The increase is due to the commissioning of a new filling and packaging line at Hagedornsvej.

Energy consumption: 169,000 GJ

Raw materials consumption: 586 tons
The consumption of raw materials in both production and laboratories is included for 1997, in contrast to 1996 when only raw materials for production were stated. Ethanol constitutes 64% of the total consumption of organic solvents.

Waste water: 81,200 m³
Liquid waste with a high content of urea from Brogårdsvej was used as agricultural fertilizer in 1995 and 1996. Due to new requirements this application was discontinued at the end of 1996. In 1997 this waste stream was treated in the waste water treatment plant at our Kalundborg site.

We expect that in 1998 this waste stream will be reused in a purification plant lacking a source of nitrogen. The other waste water is led to the Lynetten treatment plant via the public sewage network.

Discharges via waste water

• 22 tons suspended solids
• 43 tons COD
• 15 tons nitrogen
• 1.4 tons phosphorus

Emissions to air
Energy-related emissions are the most significant source of air pollution from the factory.

At Brogårdsvej use of organic solvents in connection with product recovery has led to emissions of ethanol to the air totalling 200 kg.

GMOs in air
Air emissions from the fermentation plant also contain GMOs. The discharge to the air is below the limit value of 10 GMOs/m³ air as specified in the gene technology approvals.

Solid waste: 537 tons
The quantities of waste generated at the factory are disposed of by recycling, incineration, landfill and controlled destruction.

Waste streams containing ethanol from production were recycled in a biogas facility. This reduced the volume of waste for controlled destruction by Kommunekemi from 174 tons in 1996 to 54 tons in 1997 (~ 69%).

Water consumption

Energy consumption

Raw materials consumption

Solid waste

Gentofte data

Green accounts for Copenhagen, Denmark