Gerresheimer has started operations at a new plant in Zhenjiang Dagang, China, for the production of glass primary pharmaceutical packaging.
After approximately four years of construction, a state-of-the-art, energy-efficient building covering around 40,000 square metres has been completed in the Zhenjiang Economic Development Zone in Jiangsu Province, fully meeting the stringent regulatory requirements of the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. An additional 33,000 square metres of land is available for future expansion. The new plant also sets new standards in terms of sustainability.
Gerresheimer currently produces pharmaceutical vials and ampoules at the site—primarily for the Chinese market—with a workforce of about 250 employees; approximately 50 new jobs are expected to be created in the coming years.
With its fourth Tubular Glass plant in China, Gerresheimer is continuing its successful 20-year partnership with Shuangfeng Glass. The joint venture Gerresheimer Shuangfeng Pharmaceutical Glass now operates a total of four Tubular Glass plants in China: two plants in Danyang, one plant in Zhenjiang, and the new plant in Zhenjiang Dagang.
The borosilicate glass vials and ampoules are produced in a wide range of sizes and designs in accordance with China’s Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for pharmaceutical packaging. Controlled areas include, among other things, over 2,700 square metres of ISO Class 8 clean room space, an ISO Class 7 microbiological laboratory, and an area of over 700 square metres of ISO Class 8 space for the silicone coating of ampoules and vials. The plant also has a comprehensive ISO-certified quality and environmental management system.
The new plant in Zhenjiang Dagang also sets new standards in terms of sustainability. It was designed and built in accordance with China’s “Green Factory” guidelines and the LEED Gold certification requirements of the U.S. Green Building Council. A 2-MWp rooftop photovoltaic system generates sustainable electricity that is consumed directly on-site.
Water, as a valuable resource, 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 new plants’ energy and resource efficiency, along with their use of electricity from renewable energy sources, contribute positively to the Gerresheimer Group’s ambitious sustainability goals.