Basel, Switzerland—Lonza has invested CHF 85 million—approximately $93 million—to expand its capsule manufacturing capacity, according to a press release. The expansion, across eight global Lonza sites, will increase capacity by 30 billion capsules annually.

Current industry trends are leading to increased demand for capsules, the press release says, both in the pharmaceutical and the supplement markets.

This commitment is on top of an initial investment in 2019 in the Capsules and Health Ingredients (CHI) Division, which increased capsule production capacity by 10 billion capsules. This additional manufacturing capacity will address growth across CHI’s gelatin, vegetarian, and specialty polymers portfolio, the press release says, as well as the liquid-filled hard capsules sold under the Licaps brand. This investment will also support production as CHI introduces new dosage technologies, such as Lipid Multi Particulates and new time-release functional capsule solutions.
Related: Lonza Reports H1 Group Sales Chr. Hansen to Sell its Natural Colors Business Lonza Hosts Annual General Meeting
The investment will be made over the course of fiscal years 2020 and 2021.

Stef Vanquickenborne, Head of CHI R&D, Lonza, said in the press release: “Dosage form technologies have evolved rapidly over the past ten years. As the leader in the industry, we are committed to innovation and helping our customers successfully deliver next-generation drugs and nutritional supplements.”

Claude Dartiguelonge, President of CHI, Lonza, added: “We continue to see strong demand for our products across all markets, as consumers and patients alike take a more active interest in their health. Therefore, we felt it is critical that we make this commitment to expand the manufacturing capacity of our network, not only addressing supply needs in the near term but also supply availability over the long term.”