JV offers modular plant design to cut construction times
The joint venture, named ModularPartners, brings together three companies to offer support for modular biopharm facility construction. Taking a modular approach for a new site, expansion or renovation is cited by the partners as a way to bring the project in on time.
“Modularisation has become one of the most important ways to increase quality, productivity and time-to-market in industries as varied as software, electronics and aerospace”, said ModularPartners.
Biopharm companies have also used modular facility designs and the joint venture hopes to increase adoption. Life science plants are more complex than some other industries but the principals of modular design can be transferred.
ModularPartners will support the process by providing: project management, design, engineering, module fabrication support, site logistics, installations, commissioning, qualification, and turnover services.
Production of the modular components will take place at former Pharmadule AB assets acquired in 2010 during the formation of KeyPlants. Since forming KeyPlants has performed work for Sicor Biotech, Stragen Pharma and an unnamed Russian pharmaceutical company.
A global joint venture
ModularPartners is made up of Sweden-based KeyPlants and US-based ModWave and Yonkers Industries. Spain-based Telstar has a financial stake in KeyPlants and its site in Terrassa, Spain will be a primary operating location for ModularPartners.
Sites in Stockholm, Sweden and Cary, North Carolina are the other primary operations centres. The joint venture also has offices and operations in Puerto Rico, the UK, China, Thailand, Brazil and a number of other locations.
ModularPartners was formalised this month with the signing of a memorandum of understanding in Terrassa. Signing of the document followed a three-month development period, during which time KeyPlants and Telstar entered into a strategic alliance.
