Indonesia's rainforests are a biodiversity hotspot and an irreplaceable treasure for global health. However, ongoing deforestation not only threatens rare animal and plant species but also the foundation for developing new medicines. While palm oil and pulp companies are known as the main drivers of deforestation, the role of the international pharmaceutical industry is increasingly coming into focus – as a beneficiary, indirect driver, and player in complex supply chains. But how exactly is the pharmaceutical industry involved in the destruction of the Indonesian rainforest? And which companies are in the spotlight?
The Pharmaceutical Industry: Beneficiary of Biodiversity, Part of the Supply Chain
The global pharmaceutical industry relies on the genetic diversity of tropical rainforests. Many modern medicines are based on active ingredients derived from rare plants, fungi, or microorganisms. Indonesia, with over 30,000 plant species, is a hotspot for the search for new drugs ("bioprospecting")[3][8]. International pharmaceutical companies and research institutions, including US and European corporations, collaborate with Indonesian partners to discover and develop new active ingredients[3][8].
Specific Examples and Companies
- Novo Nordisk: The Danish pharmaceutical giant, a global leader in insulin, entered into a partnership with the Indonesian state-owned company Bio Farma in 2024 to locally produce and package insulin[7]. While this cooperation primarily aims to supply the local market, it demonstrates how international pharmaceutical companies utilize Indonesia's resources and infrastructure.
- Etana Biotechnologies: The Indonesian biotech company Etana, supported by international investors, is building local production capacities for biological medicines and vaccines[4][10]. The expansion of such companies is promoted by the government to reduce dependence on imports and retain value creation within the country.
- Research Consortia: US universities such as Rutgers and Hostos Community College collaborate with Indonesian institutions to research new botanical medicines directly in the rainforest ("Screens to Nature")[3]. These projects aim to preserve biodiversity while developing new therapies.
Palm Oil and Pharmaceutical Excipients
Ein weniger offensichtlicher, aber bedeutender Zusammenhang besteht über die Verwendung von Palmöl und Palmöl-Derivaten in pharmazeutischen Produkten. Palmöl ist ein vielseitiger Rohstoff, der in Kapselhüllen, Emulgatoren, Salben und Cremes eingesetzt wird. Viele internationale Pharmakonzerne – darunter Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Sanofi, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) und Bayer – beziehen Palmöl über globale Lieferketten, die häufig mit Entwaldung in Indonesien verbunden sind[1][2].
Wilmar International, der weltweit größte Palmölhändler, beliefert zahlreiche Branchen, darunter auch die Pharmaindustrie. Greenpeace und andere NGOs haben nachgewiesen, dass Wilmar weiterhin Palmöl von Produzenten bezieht, die Regenwaldflächen in Indonesien roden – trotz gegenteiliger Selbstverpflichtungen[2]. Marken wie Unilever, Nestlé, Colgate-Palmolive und Mondelez stehen regelmäßig in der Kritik, Palmöl aus problematischen Quellen zu verwenden[2][9]. Auch wenn diese Unternehmen primär im Lebensmittel- und Kosmetikbereich tätig sind, sind ihre Tochterfirmen und Zulieferer oft auch für pharmazeutische Hilfsstoffe relevant.
Schattenseiten der Lieferkette: Deforestation durch Palmöl und Zellstoff
Die Palmölindustrie ist der größte Einzelverursacher der Entwaldung in Indonesien. 2023 wurden laut Greenpeace und TheTreeMap 30.000 Hektar Regenwald für neue Plantagen gerodet, ein Drittel davon auf torfreichen Böden mit besonders hohem CO?-Ausstoß[6]. Unternehmen wie Ciliandry Anky Abadi (CAA) und der mit ihnen verbundene Konzern First Resources sind führend bei der Umwandlung von Regenwald in Plantagenland[6]. Über komplexe Lieferketten gelangt das dort produzierte Palmöl auch in pharmazeutische Produkte weltweit.
Die Zellstoff- und Papierindustrie, vertreten durch Konzerne wie Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) und APRIL (Teil der Royal Golden Eagle Group, RGE), ist ein weiterer Treiber der Entwaldung[1][9]. Diese Unternehmen beliefern nicht nur die Papierindustrie, sondern auch Hersteller von Verpackungen und pharmazeutischen Hilfsstoffen. Die RGE Group wurde mehrfach dabei ertappt, Nachhaltigkeitsversprechen zu brechen und weiterhin Regenwaldflächen zu zerstören[9].
Biodiversität als Rohstoffquelle: Chancen und Risiken
Indonesiens Regenwälder sind eine Schatzkammer für die Entwicklung neuer Medikamente. Die indonesische Arzneimittelbehörde (BPOM) hat neun Pflanzenarten als besonders vielversprechend für die Entwicklung moderner Arzneimittel identifiziert, darunter Piper retrofractum (Cabe Jawa) und andere endemische Arten[8]. Internationale Pharmaunternehmen und Forschungseinrichtungen investieren in die Erforschung dieser Pflanzen, um neue Wirkstoffe gegen Krebs, Infektionen und chronische Krankheiten zu entwickeln[3][8].
But ongoing deforestation is severely endangering these resources. A study in the Eureka Herba Indonesia journal documents that rare medicinal plants in the Bukit Barisan rainforest of Sumatra are threatened by logging and overexploitation[5]. The loss of these species is not only a setback for medical research but also for local healthcare.
Responsibility and initiatives of the pharmaceutical industry
Many international pharmaceutical companies have committed to sustainable supply chains and biodiversity protection. However, the reality often looks different: traceability of palm oil and other raw materials is difficult, and certification systems like the "Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil" (RSPO) are repeatedly criticized for lack of oversight[6][9].
However, some companies are leading the way:
- Novo Nordisk focuses on local production and partnerships to keep value creation within the country and promote sustainable standards[7].
- Etana Biotechnologies invests in the development and production of biological medicines in Indonesia, with a focus on sustainability and local value creation[4][10].
At the same time, NGOs and scientists are calling for the pharmaceutical industry to take greater responsibility: through transparent supply chains, the avoidance of palm oil from deforestation, investments in biodiversity protection, and fair partnerships with local communities.
Conclusion: Pharmaceutical industry as part of the problem – and the solution?
The global pharmaceutical industry is not the main driver of rainforest deforestation in Indonesia, but through the use of palm oil, pulp, and research into natural substances, it is closely intertwined with local ecological developments. Corporations such as Novo Nordisk, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Sanofi, GSK, Bayer, and their suppliers benefit from the rainforest's resources – and indirectly contribute to deforestation through their supply chains.
The challenge lies in harnessing the medicinal potential of biodiversity without destroying its ecological foundations. This requires consistent transparency, sustainable procurement, and investments in rainforest protection. Only then can the pharmaceutical industry fulfill its responsibility – and Indonesia's rainforests be preserved as the world's "green pharmacy."
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