Nouryon, a global leader in specialty chemicals, announced a major expansion of its Kromasil chromatography media manufacturing facility in Bohus, Sweden on February 20. This strategic investment will double the facility's production capacity, addressing the rapidly growing global demand for peptide-based pharmaceuticals, particularly within the GLP-1 receptor agonist class. Construction of the facility is slated to begin in early 2025, with production expected to commence in early 2027.

The expansion comes in response to the escalating need for peptide-based drugs, fueled by the increasing prevalence of conditions like type 2 diabetes and obesity. Kromasil chromatography media, a crucial component within Nouryon's Consumer & Life Sciences segment, plays a vital role in the purification of these novel peptide-based pharmaceuticals, ensuring their safety and efficacy.

Nouryon is a recognized leader in high-performance silica production, boasting over 30 years of expertise in analytical and process-scale liquid chromatography under the Kromasil brand. Renowned for its mechanical strength and chemical stability, Kromasil chromatography media delivers superior separation performance, high loadability, and increased productivity. Its versatility allows operation under a wide range of conditions, making it a preferred choice for pharmaceutical manufacturers.

"The surge in demand for peptide-based drugs, driven by the global rise in diabetes and obesity, necessitates a robust and reliable supply chain," stated Larry Ryan, President at Nouryon. "This expansion of our Bohus Kromasil chromatography media facility represents a significant investment and underscores our commitment to fostering organic growth within our Consumer & Life Sciences segment. Ultimately, this investment will help ensure that patients worldwide have access to the life-changing medications they need."

Nouryon has been at the forefront of supporting the development and production of peptide-based drugs. The company launched its toolbox for the purification of various GLP-1 receptor agonists several years ago. Building on this expertise, Nouryon introduced a novel, high-efficiency Kromasil chromatography media in 2023 specifically designed for the purification of peptide-based pharmaceuticals.

"This expansion will solidify our position as a leading supplier of high-quality silica-based chromatography media for active pharmaceutical ingredients," commented Suzanne Carroll, Senior Vice President of Consumer & Life Sciences at Nouryon.

The Bohus site in Sweden is a cornerstone of Nouryon's Kromasil operations. It houses the company's Kromasil chromatography media manufacturing plant, a testament to the site's deep expertise and commitment to innovation. The facility also includes a global innovation center for Kromasil, along with dedicated quality and support functions. Furthermore, Bohus serves as the production site for silica sol, a key raw material used in the manufacturing of Kromasil chromatography media.