Johnson Matthey, a leading provider of pharmaceutical services, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and catalyst technologies, has announced completion of an acquisition of pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity in Scotland, UK. The 109,000 sq. metre site was acquired to meet increasing demand for custom pharmaceutical services and active ingredients utilising enhanced manufacturing capabilities.

Located in Annan, Dumfries and Galloway, the site was originally commissioned and constructed by Glaxo in 1980 and was most recently owned by Bakhu Pharma. The manufacturing capacity offers further opportunities to optimise efficiencies across Johnson Matthey’s existing global manufacturing assets, and the multipurpose capabilities strongly complement the company’s portfolio of complex chemistry, catalysis and process technologies. An immediate multimillion-pound refurbishment will soon be underway to update and enhance the operational and quality standards of the facility.

“This strategic site addition significantly increases our global manufacturing capabilities and capacity,” said John Fowler, Division Director at Johnson Matthey Fine Chemicals. “Combining the Annan site with our leading technologies will answer our customers’ needs for efficient production of pharmaceutical intermediates and APIs at the highest quality and compliance standards in the market.”

Refurbishment at the Annan facility is set to start in early 2015, and the site is expected to be fully operational by early 2016.

Johnson Matthey’s Fine Chemicals Division provides pharmaceutical customers in Europe, US and China with a broad range of services and solutions, including active ingredients, custom development services, catalysts and chiral technologies.