Trelleborg to expand biopharma capabilities amid growing demand

Trelleborg, Sweden – Trelleborg Healthcare & Medical is expanding its biopharma production capabilities with a ‘substantial investment’ in the US.

The Swedish supplier is expanding its manufacturing facility in Northborough, Massachusetts, to meet growing demand for biopharmaceutical applications such as silicone tubing and hose, assemblies, and other integrated solutions.

The site, also home to Trelleborg’s “biopharma centre of excellence”, will expand manufacturing capacities of Class 7 and 8 cleanrooms by 25,000 ft, according Linda Muroski, president of Trelleborg Healthcare & Medical.

“The investment is a key milestone in our global biopharmaceutical strategy and will enable us to expand our offerings to existing and new customers in the industry,” she added.

The three-phase expansion project will bring capacities and capabilities online incrementally over the next 24 to 36 months, said Trelleborg in a recent statement.

Phase one of the project is set to start operation in January 2023.

The Trelleborg statement did not elaborate on the financial size of the investment.

The project follows the expansion of milling and extrusion capacities at the Northborough site earlier this year and is expected to create at least 50 new jobs.

“The expansion will enable us to increase our manufacturing capacities for extrusion and moulding and offer enhanced flexible manufacturing solutions,” according to Florance Veronelli, global business development lead for biopharmaceutical.

The site’s offering will include assembly, kitting, contract manufacturing, packaging, validation and supply chain management.

Among other products, Trelleborg will manufacture its PharmaTube-branded platinum silicone tubing for single- and multi-use applications.

The company’s portfolio also includes O-Rings, seals, bearings, and composite products.