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FUJIFILM Irvine Scientific Begins Customer Qualification of European Manufacturing Facility
New European hub in Tilburg, the Netherlands, scheduled to open late 2021
SANTA ANA, California, September 29, 2021: FUJIFILM Irvine Scientific, Inc., today announced that it completed construction and started the commissioning phase of its new manufacturing facility in Tilburg, the Netherlands. The commissioning milestone marks the beginning of validating the facility and equipment in anticipation of full operations starting in late 2021. The new facility will join manufacturing locations in the U.S. and Japan to increase the production capacity of cell culture media products and provide a hub for European and global markets.
Despite challenges to supply chain and operations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, delivery of essential equipment and construction of the new Tilburg facility progressed throughout 2020. Completion of a third, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility is an important step in the Company’s long-term plans to ensure its production capacity can meet the growing needs of the market and customers worldwide. Located in a key European position, the site offers customers more local supply, for increased efficiency, cost-savings in shipping, and secure supply chain.
Sustainability is also important for supply chain. Along with state-of-the-art Life Science manufacturing, the Fujifilm Tilburg site is designed for sustainable operation. The facility employs strategies that adhere to the Fujifilm Sustainability Value Plan 2030, including working towards a CO2-neutral status, using wind energy for the production process, and using sustainable technologies such as membrane bioreactors for wastewater purification.
The Tilburg facility occupies approximately 250,000 square feet previously utilized by FUJIFILM Manufacturing Europe B.V. to manufacture photo paper, offset plates, and membranes. The world-class facility will manufacture dry powder media, liquid media, buffers, and Water for Injection (WFI) in accordance with the same Quality System, raw materials, and expertise used in the Company’s facilities in the U.S. and Japan. Initially, it will increase the Company’s production capacity with greater than 320,000 kg/year of dry powder media and greater than 470,000 L/year of liquids with the physical capacity to expand rapidly.
"While 2020 was a challenging year, we are pleased that our team succeeded in achieving this milestone on time,” said Yutaka Yamaguchi, chairman, and chief executive officer, FUJIFILM Irvine Scientific. “The new facility will enable FUJIFILM Irvine Scientific to meet increased global demand for cell culture media, as well as provide our European customers with a regional hub that delivers best-in-class cell culture media products and service."
The site is intending to be an ISO 13485 certified manufacturing facility and follow CGMP, 21 CFR 820 for product manufacturing. It is ready to begin manufacturing qualification batches for customers to ensure it is ready to begin commercial manufacture on day one of commissioning. For information on qualifying the facility, visit https://www.irvinesci.com/fujifilm-manufacturing-europe-bv
View a video of the facility in action at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sifEYGwR4bQ
For high-res image contact lorna.cuddon@zymecommunications.com
Notes to Editors
FUJIFILM Irvine Scientific
FUJIFILM Irvine Scientific, Inc., is a worldwide leader in the innovation and manufacture of cell culture media, reagents, and medical devices for researchers and clinicians. The company provides unrivaled service and quality to scientists working in biopharmaceuticals, cell therapy, and regenerative medicine, assisted reproductive technology and cytogenetics, and industrial cell culture for the large-scale production of biotherapeutics and vaccines. FUJIFILM Irvine Scientific adheres to both ISO and FDA regulations and operates dual cGMP manufacturing facilities in California, USA, and Tokyo, Japan. The company’s consultative philosophy combined with expertise in cell culture and compliance provides customers with unique capabilities and support. For over 50 years, FUJIFILM Irvine Scientific has remained uniquely flexible and focused on media while becoming a strategic global leader in media products and services. FUJIFILM Irvine Scientific, Inc. is a subsidiary of FUJIFILM Holdings America Corporation reporting to FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation.
FUJIFILM Holdings
FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, brings cutting edge solutions to a broad range of global industries by leveraging its depth of knowledge and fundamental technologies developed in its relentless pursuit of innovation. Its proprietary core technologies contribute to the various fields including healthcare, highly functional materials, document solutions, and imaging. These products and services are based on its extensive portfolio of chemical, mechanical, optical, electronic and imaging technologies. For the year ended March 31, 2021, the company had global revenues of $21 billion, at an exchange rate of 106 yen to the dollar. Fujifilm is committed to responsible environmental stewardship and good corporate citizenship. For more information, please visit: www.fujifilmholdings.com.
Media Contacts
Lori Serles
FUJIFILM Irvine Scientific
Phone: (949) 261-7800 x145
Email: lori.serles@fujifilm.com
Lorna Cuddon
Zyme Communications
Phone: +44 (0)7811 996 942
Email: lorna.cuddon@zymecommunications.com
