The Italian operation of the New Jersey firm’s Pharma Solutions’ Consumer Health business would improve production of its outputs like Vegicaps – its plant-sourced capsules that are popular with vitamin and mineral manufacturers.
The company was not available for further comment but Gerry Purnell, European commercial director for Catalent’s Consumer Health business, said in a statement:
“We needed to expand capacity for both traditional gelatin and Vegicaps capsules to ensure reliable supply of strong customer demand.”
“Customers are increasingly considering Vegicaps capsules because the technology accommodates a wide range of formulations and provides access to markets that require products free from animal derived gelatin.”
The site, in Aprilia, has been expanded over 12 months and further expansions are planned that will broden potential for the company in areas like chewable tablets.
Stefano Arena, general manager of the facility said: “The improvements have been approved by the appropriate regulatory authorities, and we will continue to expand our facility in Aprilia throughout 2011 to bring more products, such as chewable capsules, to market.”
“The ongoing expansion will not only benefit our customers in the consumer health market, but will also allow us to offer more services to the pharmaceutical and cosmetics sectors too.”
Improvements that have met Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards have included a dedicated area for gelatine production and new Vegicap and gelatine production machinery. This machinery had increased output by a third, the company said.
“Catalent has also added key processing equipment, such as a new turbo emulsifier to replace open roll-milling equipment,” it said. “Capacity within inspection and drying areas has been increased and workflows and environments have been reviewed and enhanced to maintain high standards of safety and current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP).”
The company highlighted the fact its Aprilia facility also offered a turnkey service that includes formulation, development, production, packaging as well as market registration and analytical testing.
After publication, strategic marketing manager for Europe, Chris Halling, added that the company’s sales mix was, “around 50% vitamins, minerals and supplements, one third in pharmaceuticals and the rest in cosmetics.”
Halling said chewable forms will come on line in the first half of 2012.