Schott announced a US $1 billion (approximately Rs 7500 crore) investment in its pharmaceutical packaging business to expand capacity by more than 50%. Now, according to Global Data, the company has achieved a milestone, delivering vials to three out of every four Covid-19 vaccine projects undergoing phase I, II, and III testing. The company has already delivered millions of glass vials to SARS-CoV-2 programs, including partners of Operation Warp Speed in the US.
“We are proud and happy to serve leading vaccine projects and will continue to contribute our utmost to the fight against Covid-19,” said Frank Heinricht, chief executive officer of Schott. The company already deploys a global validated production network with 20 plants and over 600 production lines for pharma glass and packaging and stands ready to supply the industry. “Our US$1 billion investment, which started before the pandemic to meet global demand for high quality glass packaging, allowed us to ramp up production to quickly address this unprecedented global public health challenge,” Heinricht said.
According to the press statement, the vast majority of all Covid-19 vaccines will be stored in and applied from a Borosilicate glass container – the world’s most widely used material to package vaccines. Relying on existing and proven infrastructures and materials enables the pharma industry to save time, simply because they have been processing these vials on their lines for decades, it said.
Headquartered in Mainz, Germany, Schott is a leading international technology group in specialty glass, glass-ceramics, and related high-tech materials. With over 130 years of experience, the company is an innovative partner to many industries, including the home appliance, pharma, electronics, optics, life sciences, automotive, and aviation industries. Schott has a global presence with production sites and sales offices in 34 countries, including India.