Second Expansion Underway for Rexam Healthcare
Four years after its first extension, Rexam is again expanding its La Verpillière site (near Lyon) to create a building including approx. 2400 m2 of clean room exclusively dedicated for the production of sub-sets of insulin injection pens for the Eli Lilly and Company group.
Since 2008, Rexam Healthcare has been the European supplier for the Eli Lilly and Company group of the sub-sets of their insulin injection pen. This production is carried out by Rexam Healthcare at its La Verpillière plant in Isère (France).
This site specialises in drug administration systems, such as inhalers for asthma and injection devices, which enable the patient to self-administer their medicines. It also houses Rexam Healthcare’s European Technology Centre.
Four years ago, this collaboration between Rexam and Lilly led to the first extension of the site and created around 50 new jobs at La Verpillière with plans to double in size by the end of 2013. The project represents a significant investment over a 3-year period.
Composed of over a dozen plastic parts and a metal spring, this new insulin injection pen for the treatment of diabetes has two sub-sets: the dose selection mechanism, and the protective cap. The glass cartridge filled with insulin, which is inserted in the pen, is produced by the Eli Lilly and Company group at their Fegersheim site near Strasbourg. This is also where the two sub-sets are assembled and the insulin cartridge inserted.
The components of the injection pen will be manufactured by a fleet of dedicated robots, including injection presses, marking machines, assembly line with ultrasound welding, and packaging technology. Each phase will be controlled by a camera system. Designed to be produced by multi-imprint moulds on electric injection presses, the plastic parts will be in a material chosen specifically by the Eli Lilly and Company group.
More than 3,000 m2 of the building are already reserved exclusively for the manufacture of this product. 2,400 m2 out of the additional extension of 3,700 m2 will be clean rooms complying with standard ISO8.
Rexam Healthcare provides solutions to protect and deliver pharmaceuticals. Building on its core expertise in plastic injection, injection blow-molding, and high-speed automated assembly, the company designs, develops, and manufactures innovative packaging, including containers and closures, drug delivery devices, metering pumps and valves, and medical components to improve patients’ health. For more information, visit www.rexam.com/healthcare.
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