AstraZeneca's supply base in Wuxi New District. [Photo/WeChat account: xinwu_wx]

The World Economic Forum recently announced its latest list of "lighthouse factories", with AstraZeneca's supply base in Wuxi New District being named a new member. It is China's second pharmaceutical "lighthouse factory" and the first in Jiangsu province.

Operational since 2001, AstraZeneca's WND supply base is a strategic hub within the company's global supply network, providing over 20 branded products to more than 70 markets worldwide. The facility is recognized for its innovative partnerships with external organizations, utilizing renewable energy and other sustainable practices to achieve a 98 percent reduction in carbon emissions by 2026, compared to its 2015 baseline.

AstraZeneca's WND supply base uses advanced digital technologies. [Photo/WeChat account: xinwu_wx]

The supply base has also implemented over 30 Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies, including AI and advanced algorithms, to enhance production efficiency. These innovations have resulted in a 55 percent increase in output, an 80 percent decrease in defect rates, and a 54 percent improvement in labor productivity.

AstraZeneca's WND supply base uses advanced digital technologies. [Photo/WeChat account: xinwu_wx]

According to Kiva Allgood, head of the WEF's Advanced Manufacturing and Supply Chains Center, only four pharmaceutical plants were selected out of 22 factories across industries globally in 2024. This recognition emphasizes AstraZeneca's proficiency in leveraging digital technologies to enhance the value delivered to patients.

"Lighthouse Factories", selected by the WEF in collaboration with McKinsey, represent the highest global standards of smart manufacturing and digitalization. Since the program began in 2018, a total of 172 factories have been recognized, with 74 located in China. WND is home to three such factories—Bosch, Schneider Electric, and AstraZeneca—making it the country's leading national-level high-tech zone in terms of "lighthouse factory" concentration.