In 2016, SGD Pharma built its flagship, eco-friendly, greenfield, Type I glass plant at Saint-Quentin-la-Motte (France). This state-of-the-art plant produces more than one million vials and bottles per day, in clear and amber Type I glass. The products manufactured at this site are distributed across the globe.
Also in France, the Sucy-en-Brie factory dates from 1917 and concentrates on Types II and III amber and clear moulded glass bottles. Production is dedicated to oral applications (antibiotics, syrups and droppers), as well as injectable and infusion parenteral items, plastic-coated aerosols and printing services.
Opened in 2013, SGD Pharma’s plant near Hyderabad (India) is dedicated to parenteral production in Type I moulded glass but also has converting operations for tubular glass vials and ampoules. A new unit with additional capacity for converting ampoules was opened in early 2018.
According to Laurent Zuber, glassmaking in moulded and tubular form continues to represent SGD Pharma’s core business, although the company constantly monitors the market for complementary acquisition opportunities involving other materials. SGD Pharma continues to invest strongly in its plants to improve quality and service, its main priority for the coming year being the Sucy-en-Brie factory.
The increased automation of production processes is an ongoing priority, as is the attainment of a reduced carbon footprint via the conversion of furnaces from oil to natural gas and electric melting. Mr Zuber believes that the challenge to create a CO2 neutral glass container industry will not be overcome in the near future, however. “It is like meeting customer demand to achieve zero defects” he suggests. “Nevertheless, a continuous improvement approach drives all our processes.”
In addition to its investment commitment to build and continuously improve its plant infrastructure, SGD Pharma invests in product innovation and continuous improvement. The company’s R&D group is charged with advancing and innovating pharmaceutical glass packaging technology. Two recent developments targeted for parenteral therapies include the introduction of Clareo Premium Type II injection vials and high quality sterile and depyrogenated Type I moulded glass vials powered by Ompi EZ-fill.
Future goals
SGD Pharma’s mission is to improve and protect patients’ health by supplying high quality, reliable and innovative glass primary packaging. Under Laurent Zuber’s stewardship, its global footprint and more than a century of expertise, SGD Pharma’s vision is to be acknowledged as a great place to work, to expand its leadership position, be recognised by its customers and reinforce operational excellence.
For Laurent Zuber, it is important for SGD Pharma to continue to be recognised by its customers as a preferred supplier for pharmaceutical glass primary packaging, as the company continues its goal to drive innovation and sustainable growth.
Corporate Social Responsibility Co-ordinator named
Massine Yanat has been appointed Co-ordinator Corporate Social Responsibility Group by SGD Pharma on a 12 months contract. Corporate Social Responsibility corresponds to the way a company manages its impact on environment and energy use reduction, ethical rules set up in its relationship with suppliers and customers, social climate and employees competencies development, relationship with all third parties and civic sense; in a nutshell, all matters complementary to financial that contribute to maintain its robustness, reputation and its sustainability.
Mr Yanat’s main task is to work on a CSR structured approach and provide a consolidated view of all different actions already in place across the group related to sustainability.