On April 24, at its press conference on the opening day of the Interpack exhibition Schott AG based in Mainz and Kaisha Manufacturers based in Mumbai announced their new 50:50 joint venture to manufacture primary pharmaceutical glass packaging for the Indian market. Schott and Kaisha have worked together for many years with Schott supplying pharmaceutical glass tubing to Kaisha for conversion to primary pharmaceutical packaging products. Kaisha is considered a quality leader in the Indian market with a 2007 turnover of more than Rs. 70 crore (Euro 11 million).

The pharmaceutical packaging market in India is growing between 10 to 15 per cent annually, and is particularly strong in the premium quality segments. Moreover, the Indian pharmaceutical industry has the highest number of US Food and Drug Administration approved plants outside the United States. “With this double-digit million Euro investment, Schott continues on its course to growth and quality leadership. Additionally, we are securing our access to a very promising market,” says Professor Udo Ungeheur, Chairman of the Board of ManAGement of Schott AG.

The joint venture will support Indian pharmaceutical companies in upgrading products for international markets by supplying pharmaceutical packaging at an international quality level from a local production site. Schott Kaisha will build production capacity for StandardLine ampoules and vials to be commissioned by the fourth quarter of 2009 with operations in both Mumbai and Daman. “The joint venture combines Kaisha’s local market expertise and access to customers with the technological know-how of Schott,” explains Kairus Dadachanchji, Managing Director of Schott Kaisa. The joint venture expects fast growth in manufacturing capacity and employee strength. “Over the next 15 to 18 months, our Indian customers and market will begin to experience the positive effects of this cooperation,” Dadachandji says.

Schott’s unique coating technology development for use with pharmaceutical applications was also presented at Interpack. This will be covered cover in our Special Interpack Review Issue of May-June 2008 as well. Schott Pharmaceutical Packaging has 11 production sites around the world and is part of the Schott group that develops specials materials, components, and systems for the household appliances, pharmaceutical, solar energy, automotive, electronics and optics industries. The entire group is owned by Schott AG, whose sole shareholder is the Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung (Foundation).