AGC Pharma Chemicals has announced its decision to expand its manufacturing facilities in Malgrat de Mar (Barcelona). The Japanese company, which makes small molecule active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and intermediates, will invest 100 million dollars to increase its production capacity by 30% in the Catalan town.

The plant serves as a CDMO (contract development and manufacturing organisation) for other pharmaceutical companies, creating some of the APIs which go into their medicines. Thanks to the expansion, which will increase the floor area by 7,500 square metres, it will be able to increase production of HPAPI (highly potent active pharmaceutical ingredients).

New reactors
HPAPI production will be possible thanks to the introduction of new reactors, with volumes of 1.5 to 7.5 cubic metres. These are expected to come online in the first half of 2024, and will mean the creation of 100 new jobs. This total investment of 100 million dollars will soon be followed by another significant investment, for which a space will be reserved in the new building.

The company also recently invested in improving its facilities in order to have a larger research and development building, and to convert the plant into a multipurpose complex and install a micronisation unit. These three projects plus the one announced today will fully equip AGC to produce a wide range of APIs, and enable it to add expertise in handling fluorine to its services.

Impact on the community and the environment
The new plant will be built and operated in a way that minimises its impact on the local community and the environment, in accordance with the Responsible Care Programme, a voluntary initiative for the global chemical industry to which AGC Pharma Chemicals belongs.

The expansion of the Catalan plant responds to expectations for the small molecule CDMO market, which is growing at over 7% a year, while the volume of contracts the companies are signing is growing at an even faster pace. The commitment of the Japanese company will enable its Barcelona plant to meet the heavy demand expected from the industry.

^Photo: AGC