Gerresheimer has broken ground on a new €30 million production facility at its Wertheim site, further strengthening its position as a leading partner to the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. The expansion will establish a state-of-the-art production hall dedicated to ready-to-fill (RTF/RTU) vials and the company’s next-generation EZ-fill Smart packaging platform.
The new 4,000 m² facility is scheduled to begin production by mid-2027 and is expected to create around 50 new skilled jobs in the region. Wertheim will become Gerresheimer’s second site worldwide, after Querétaro, Mexico, to manufacture RTF vials using the EZ-fill Smart system.
The expansion in Wertheim is an example of how we are implementing our growth strategy by expanding our portfolio with specialized systems and solutions for biopharmaceuticals.
Dietmar Siemssen, CEO of Gerresheimer AG
The EZ-fill Smart platform represents the company’s latest innovation in sterile primary packaging. When combined with Gx Elite RTF Vials—known for their high break resistance, precise tolerances, and superior surface quality—the system is designed to deliver optimal product quality and enhanced protection for sensitive biologics.
“EZ-fill Smart is the next-generation packaging platform for ready-to-fill vials,” added Volker Rekowski, Senior Vice President Europe & Asia Tubular Glass at Gerresheimer. “This high-value solution delivers the best possible protection for sensitive biopharmaceuticals.”
Center of excellence for injectable solutions
The Wertheim site has been producing pharmaceutical ampoules since 1957 and joined the Gerresheimer Group in 1989. It serves as the company’s European Center of Excellence for high-value Gx Elite vials and ampoules. With this investment, Wertheim will expand its scope to include pre-sterilized RTF vials, supporting the growing demand in injectable biologics.
A GMP Class C cleanroom of approximately 800 m² will form the core of the new production area, ensuring compliance with stringent EU GMP Annex 1 requirements for sterile medicinal products.
Sustainability at the core
Energy efficiency and sustainability are integral to the expansion. The building will incorporate a 175 kWp photovoltaic system on its roof, with remaining surfaces covered in greenery. The facility’s entire energy supply will come from 100% renewable sources, underscoring Gerresheimer’s commitment to reducing environmental impact.
Meeting rising demand
The global RTF/RTU vials market is projected to grow at a CAGR of around 13% through 2030. With this expansion, Gerresheimer is positioning itself to meet increasing demand while reinforcing its role as a system and solution provider to the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors.
By 2028, the Wertheim site is expected to employ an additional 50 professionals, with capacity for further scale-up in the coming years.