Gerresheimer doubles China injectable packaging capacity with new plant
Key takeaways
- Gerresheimer has opened a 40,000 square meter pharmaceutical glass packaging plant in Zhenjiang, China.
- The facility produces borosilicate glass vials and ampoules, and includes ISO-classified cleanrooms, laboratories, and silicone-coating areas.
- The plant features rooftop solar power, water recycling, and heat recovery in line with green building standards.
Gerresheimer, a drug and healthcare packaging supplier headquartered in Düsseldorf, Germany, has started operations at a new plant in Zhenjiang Dagang, China, dedicated to the production of glass primary pharmaceutical packaging.
The facility covers around 40,000 square meters in the Zhenjiang Economic Development Zone in Jiangsu Province. According to the company, an additional 33,000 square meters of land is available for future expansion. The building is said to be energy-efficient and the facility produces glass packaging that meets the regulatory requirements of the pharmaceutical and biotech industries.
The facility doubles Gerresheimer’s Chinese production capacity for injectable pharmaceutical packaging, according to the company. Gerresheimer currently produces pharmaceutical vials and ampoules at the site, primarily for the local market.
Mehran Nilchian, global senior VP of Tubular Glass at Gerresheimer, says: “With our new plant in Zhenjiang Dagang, we are responding to the dynamic market growth in China, particularly in the field of injectable biologics.”
“We are pleased that we can provide our pharma and biotech customers in China and the Asia-Pacific region with the best possible support through our expanded production capacity, excellent quality, and comprehensive service.”
High degree of automation
The plant is built with glass forming lines along with intelligent production and logistics systems featuring a high degree of automation. The borosilicate glass vials and ampoules are produced in different sizes and designs in accordance with China’s Good Manufacturing Practices for pharmaceutical packaging.
Controlled areas include over 2,700 square meters of ISO Class 8 cleanroom space, an ISO Class 7 microbiological laboratory, and an area of over 700 square meters of ISO Class 8 space for the silicone coating of ampoules and vials. The company further states that the plant has a comprehensive ISO-certified quality and environmental management system.
The plant was designed and constructed in accordance with China’s “Green Factory” guidelines and the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold certification requirements of the US Green Building Council.
Gerresheimer outlines that a 2 MWp rooftop photovoltaic system generates electricity that is used on-site, and water is systematically collected and recycled, including rainwater and condensation from the air conditioning systems. The exhaust heat generated during production is used to heat other areas, the company adds.
Previously, a delegation from the Zhenjiang municipal government, led by Ma Minglong, Secretary, Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China, and Vice Mayor Yin Min, paid a visit to Gerresheimer’s headquarters. Gerresheimer said that it would continue to develop locally tailored capabilities and provide high-quality packaging solutions and services for China’s pharmaceutical industry.
Gerresheimer is also strengthening its European footprint. Earlier, Gerresheimer Glas, an indirect subsidiary of the company, signed a purchase agreement to acquire Blitz LuxCo Sarl, the holding company of Bormioli Pharma Group.
