Global pharmaceutical manufacturer Indivior has extended its partnership with Siemens with a new agreement to help create an automated Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient manufacturing facility at its UK base in Hull.
The 1,731 sq ft facility will house three new reactors, filter driers and a powder transfer system to enable Indivior to optimise production of its API Buprenorphine Hydrochloride.
The work is part of a long-standing partnership between the businesses that has helped Indivior transform processes while also supporting its ongoing efforts to enhance team health and safety.
The project will see Siemens implement its most advanced process control system, SIMATIC PCS neo – the first web-based process control system that allows engineers and operators to work on a secure and highly intuitive user interface.
Security measures will also be preconfigured by Siemens at the point of construction to ensure plant and network security as well as system integrity. The system will also support enhanced safety controls using the latest technology.
The Hull project builds on the existing relationship between the two businesses, which began in 2021 when Indivior selected Siemens to help increase automation and process safety at its existing UK manufacturing facility, which is now home to 10 reactors. The project followed a study to identify potential safety improvements across the site and led to the installation of Siemens’ SIMATIC PCS 7 process control system to improve safety controls for site operatives.
Alex Caldas, Account Development Manager at Siemens UK and Ireland said: “We have a long-standing relationship with Indivior, supporting the business with the latest technology to help it transform. Crucially, this has meant helping Indivior maintain a safe environment across its facilities, while also enhancing its production to meet ongoing growth ambitions. The SIMATIC PCS 7 and PSC neo technology helps the team make processes even more efficient, safe, and resilient.”
Tom Greatorex, electrical, control and instrumentation engineer at Indivior, who led the project, said: “Siemens’ process control platforms, both PCS7 and PCS neo, have allowed us to modernise our facilities through digitalisation and automation, giving us greater insight and control.
“Creating the new facility allows us to improve our manufacturing process and reduce bottlenecking. The implementation of technology helps us to do this in a future-proofed and optimal way.”
