Evonik Expands in Slovakia
Compared with the conventional synthesis of chemicals, fermentation-based processes can offer a more sustainable route to selected intermediates by reducing the need for organic solvents and minimizing process-related waste. The post Evonik Expands in Slovakia appeared first on GEN - Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News .
Germany-based Evonik has begun construction on a new biotechnology expansion project at its Fermas site in Slovakia. This marks the next major milestone in an approximately EUR 80 million investment to bolster the company's biotechnology capabilities and contract manufacturing services for drug substances. The expansion, scheduled for completion in early 2028, will introduce downstream fermentation technology to the site, significantly increasing capacity for complex pharmaceutical intermediate development and manufacture.
The initiative will also create around 50 new jobs, further establishing the Fermas site as one of Evonik's key biotechnology hubs, according to Lauren Kjeldsen, member of the management board and COO at custom solutions at Evonik. Kjeldsen emphasized that the expansion aligns with the company's strategy to expand its biotechnology platform and provide innovative, scalable, and sustainable manufacturing solutions, highlighting the synergy between economic growth and sustainability in biotechnology.
The Fermas site, which has been operational since 1992, has transitioned from amino acid production to a biotechnology manufacturing hub serving various industries such as pharmaceuticals, personal care, nutrition, and specialty chemicals. Recently, the site has become a major location for Evonik's biotechnology activities, including the construction of an industrial-scale rhamnolipid biosurfactant production facility.
Miroslav Havlik, general manager of Evonik Fermas, noted that this investment underscores the company's confidence in biotechnology and Slovakia as a location where innovation translates into industrial-scale products.
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