Vetter expands secondary packaging capacity
The firm installed six new fully automatic production lines at the plant, doubling capacity for everything from aseptic-filling, pen assemblies and auto-injectors to labelling and blister packaging.
Company managing director Thomas Otto explained the rationale for the new unit, suggesting that increasing economic and regulatory pressures had made secondary packaging a critical issue for the firm’s customers.
Aseptic filling is one of the areas that has seen the most growth in the pharmaceutical outsourcing sector in recent years as drugmakers keen to enter the lucrative markets have sought ways to reduce the cost of such operations.
Automation is key for VSP
The Ravensburg plant, known as Vetter Secondary Packaging (VSP), has been in development since 2006, with construction being completed late last year. Since then Vetter has been working to install and validate the new packaging lines.
“What makes VSP particularly advanced is the complete automation of all steps on the finishing lines, including labelling, plunger installation, blistering, packing and transport from one station to the next.”
Otto added that: “Compared to conventional procedures, VSP allows twice the number of systems to be assembled in half the time.”
Vetter also claims that the facility’s hygienic manufacturing area, which complies with good manufacturing practice (GMP) specifications, provides optimal conditions for pharmaceutical finishing.
The plant is part of Vetter’s recent efforts to expand its pharmaceutical industry offering. In March the firm set up a new subsidiary, Vetter Pharma International (VPI) to take charge of sales, marketing and customer services.
