Cambrex continues to up capacity with more than $200m invested in 5 years
As part of its most recent expansion, Cambrex has installed new multi-purpose reactors ranging from 4m3 to 12m3 in addition to a 9m³ hydrogenation reactor.
The new equipment is expected to be fully installed by the third quarter of 2017.
Additionally, the company has introduced additional continuous flow manufacturing for high purity intermediate production. According to the company, the dedicated continuous flow production unit is capable of producing multiple metric tons of high purity intermediates every year.
Market demand and customer need
Simon Edwards, VP global sales and marketing, Cambrex, told us the company identified four areas for investment and “manufacturing excellence” – one of which is capacity.
“It is crucial that the investments are at the correct scale to meet the market requirements and the needs of our customers,” Edwards added.
“The investments we have made in Karlskoga, Sweden provide efficient and flexible capabilities at a scale that fits in with the demands of current business, and with forecasts of what future demands will be,” he explained.
Since 2012, Edwards said Cambrex has invested more than $200m on facility expansions, equipment, and EHS upgrades to the company’s global sites.
“In just the last year, this has included a $50 million investment in the manufacturing site in Charles City, Iowa, last year and has also increased pilot scale capabilities at its sites in High Point, North Carolina, and Milan, Italy,” he added.
As Outsourcing-Pharma.com recently reported the $2.4m investment at the former PharmaCore site in High Point, NC increased the site’s capacity by around 30%. The new 400 sq. ft. suite is expected to be operational in early 2018.
“Investments will continue to be assessed based on market demand, customer need and where technologies can improve the efficiency of projects,” Edwards said.