DSM Sinochem Pharmaceuticals (DSP) is planning to expand its manufacturing facility in Delft, the Netherlands.
The company is investing to meet growing demand for sustainably produced 7-ADCA, the key intermediate for cephalosporin active pharmaceutical ingredients.
DSP is the global specialist in sustainable antibiotics, next-generation statins and anti-fungals. DSP develops, produces and sells intermediates, active pharmaceutical ingredients and drug products.
Planned construction
A new fermenter will be added to the DSP site in Delft, the Netherlands, which will make use of leading-edge technology that is energy efficient and environmentally friendly. The extension to the plant should be fully operational in the last quarter of 2017.
The Delft site produces 7-ADCA, the key intermediate for making the company’s sustainable cephalosporin APIs including cephalexin, cefadroxil and cefradine. DSP is the only remaining producer of this intermediate in the Western hemisphere.
History of developments
In the early 2000s, the company introduced a new breakthrough process for the sustainable production of high-quality 7-ADCA. So far this process is the only one of its kind for manufacturing 7-ADCA worldwide.
Clean and sustainable technology
Irresponsible manufacturing has been recognised as one of the key causes of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) due to the uncontrolled release of antibiotics into the environment.
In particular, waterways downstream of production facilities may contain significant concentrations of antimicrobial activity and risk becoming breeding grounds for resistance.
DSP's dedicated wastewater treatment plants operate all year round, in combination with the testing of effluents for antimicrobial activity.
Frans Vlaar, Business Unit Director Europe America, said: “Our sustainable and environmentally friendly manufacturing process not only results in a higher 7-ADCA product quality and significant reduction of the product carbon footprint, but also prevents unnecessary active antimicrobial discharge.”
