Aubagne (France), Goettingen (Germany), Ochsenhausen (Germany), Baar (Switzerland), June 14, 2011 / B3C newswire / – Sartorius Stedim Biotech (SSB), a leading international pharma and biotech supplier, and Südpack Medica AG, a manufacturer of innovative packaging solutions that belongs to the Südpack Group, have signed an exclusive cooperation agreement on the development, manufacture and supply of polymer plastic films for the biopharmaceutical market. As part of this strategic partnership, which is based on an initial term of ten years, Südpack will produce plastic film materials for SSB to be employed in the manufacture of single-use bags and systems. These single-use bags are primarily utilized by customers in the pharmaceutical industry for cell cultivation, transportation and storage of biopharmaceutical liquids.
Moreover, SSB and Südpack will collaborate on the development of novel multi-layer films with improved product characteristics, which are to be employed in single-use bioreactors, for instance. The first product innovations from this cooperation are expected in approximately one year from now.
“Südpack Medica AG has already been developing and manufacturing packaging solutions for medical product manufacturers for many years. Cooperation with Sartorius Stedim Biotech is now an important step into the new, promising markets of the future. We are proud that Sartorius Stedim Biotech, one of the market leaders in the biotechnology industry, has selected us as a partner to jointly develop innovative film laminates. This also tells me that we are on the right track with our strategy of continuously investing in new technologies and developments,” commented Johannes Remmele, Managing Director of Südpack, upon signing the agreement.
“Through the alliance with Südpack, we have gained an excellent partner for the development and manufacture of complex multi-layer films that we process in the production of our single-use bags. By supplying innovative single-use products, we are striving to continue offering our customers real added value in the future as well. For this reason, the strategic partnership with Südpack represents a key step for us,” said Dr. Oscar-Werner Reif, Executive Vice President of Research and Development at Sartorius Stedim Biotech.
A Profile of Sartorius Stedim Biotech
Sartorius Stedim Biotech is a leading provider of cutting-edge equipment and services for the development, quality assurance and production processes of the biopharmaceutical industry. Its integrated solutions covering fermentation, cell cultivation, filtration, purification, fluid management and lab technologies are supporting the biopharmaceutical industry around the world to develop and produce drugs safely, timely and economically. Sartorius Stedim Biotech focuses on single-use technologies and value-added services to meet the rapidly changing technology requirements of the industry it serves. Strongly rooted in the scientific community and closely allied with customers and technology partners, the company is dedicated to its philosophy of “turning science into solutions”.
Headquartered in Aubagne, France, Sartorius Stedim Biotech is listed on the Eurolist of Euronext Paris. With its own manufacturing and R&D sites in Europe, North America and Asia and a global network of sales companies, Sartorius Stedim Biotech enjoys a worldwide presence. Its key manufacturing and R&D site is in Germany. The company employs nearly 2,600 people, and in 2010 earned sales revenue of 432.9 million euros.
About Südpack
The Südpack packaging group is based in Ochsenhausen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. The family-owned business was founded in 1964 by Alfred Remmele and now has a total of 22 sales offices and sites. Production focuses on flexible plastic laminates, vacuum bags and rigid films. Flexographic and rotogravure printing methods are also used. The group’s subsidiary Südpack Medica AG develops and produces multi-layer films and bags for medical product manufacturers. Südpack has around 950 employees and achieved turnover of approximately 270 million euros in 2010. More information about can be found on the Internet at http://www.suedpack.com/en/home/ .
Press Contact for Sartorius Stedim Biotech
Marie Fabiunke
Group Communications, Trade Press Officer
+49.(0)551.308.3684
marie.fabiunke@sartorius.com
Press Contact for Südpack
Julia Mayer
Marketing Manager
+49.(0)7352.925.173
julia.mayer@suedpack.com
http://www.suedpack.com/en/home/
