18 June 2009: Vetter, one of the world’s leading providers of aseptically pre-filled injection systems, has completed the installation of six automatic packaging lines at the company’s new packaging services facility, Vetter Secondary Packaging (VSP). The Ravensburg-based packaging facility allows Vetter to double its production capacity and provide customers with a variety of state-of-the-art packaging options from a single location.
With the capacity to handle a number of packing operations, including hand-packing, pen assembly, auto-injectors, safety devices, automatic setting of plungers, labeling, and blistering, Vetter increases its ability to serve customers by reducing their time to market. According to Vetter Managing Director, Thomas Otto, VSP fulfills one of the company’s long-term strategies of meeting industry demands and future challenges. “Due to increasing economic and regulatory pressures, secondary packaging is becoming a critical issue for our customers,” said Otto.
“Vetter’s new facility increases available capacity and enhances the range of services we can
provide. In addition, it gives us the ability to perform all processes, from support in the early
development phase to commercial manufacturing and even secondary packaging, at the highest
quality and safety levels.”
VSP features optimal conditions for pharmaceutical finishing, including a classified hygienic
manufacturing area boasting the highest quality and safety standards. Designed according to the
latest GMP specifications, VSP’s optimal layout and design ensures the best possible protection
from mix-ups and contamination and contains ventilation systems and building technology adapted to the climatic requirements of customers’ active substances.
“What makes VSP particularly advanced is the complete automation of all steps on the finishing
lines, including labeling, plunger installation, blistering, packing, and transport from one station to
the next,” said Otto. “Compared to conventional procedures, VSP allows twice the number of
systems to be assembled in half the time.”
VSP also includes unique finishing areas for packaging with especially strict cosmetic guidelines.
Labeling and blistering are done under laminar flow and kept separate from other finishing
processes, resulting in packaging systems that meet the highest requirements for cosmetic purity.
Initial planning for VSP began in mid-2006 and the building was completed in the fall of 2008.
During the past several months, Vetter has installed six automatic packaging lines, completing the
entire project in less than 36 months. Future expansion plans of VSP have been included in the
concept and implementation of the new facility and can be carried out without interrupting
operations.