Gerresheimer has officially started construction of a new production facility at its Wertheim site, Germany, with a groundbreaking ceremony. By mid 2027, high-quality ready-to-fill (RTF/RTU) vials are expected to roll off the production line in a new 4,000 square metre production hall in the innovative EZ-fill Smart packaging platform.
At its Wertheim site, Gerresheimer employs around 160 people to produce injection vials and ampoules. The planned expansion is expected to create a further 50 jobs for skilled workers from the region. Wertheim will be the second Gerresheimer production site, alongside Querétaro, Mexico, to offer RTF vials in the EZ-fill Smart packaging platform. Gerresheimer is investing a total of around EUR 30 million in the construction and technical equipment of the new production building. The expansion underlines Gerresheimer’s position as a leading system and solution provider to the pharma and biotech industry, especially for injectable biopharmaceuticals.
“The expansion in Wertheim is an example of how we are implementing our growth strategy by expanding our portfolio with specialised systems and solutions for biopharmaceuticals,” said Dietmar Siemssen, CEO of Gerresheimer AG.
“EZ-fill Smart is the next-generation packaging platform for ready-to-fill vials. Together with our Gx Elite RTF Vials, this high-value solution delivers optimal product quality and the best possible protection for sensitive biopharmaceuticals,” added Volker Rekowski, Senior Vice President Europe & Asia Tubular Glass at Gerresheimer.
GMP Class C cleanroom
The RTF processing and packaging of the vials in the EZ-fill Smart format is planned to take place in the new production hall in an approximately 800 square metre GMP Class C clean room (GMP = Good Manufacturing Practice). The new production infrastructure will meet the highest pharmaceutical requirements, as specified, for example, in Annex 1 of the EU GMP guidelines for the manufacture of sterile medicinal products in the EU.
Energy efficiency and sustainability
The planned new building combines energy efficiency and sustainability in both construction and its technical systems. A 175 kWp photovoltaic system will be installed on the roof of the new building, with the remaining surface being greened. The entire power supply will come from 100 percent renewable sources.