Orbia Advance Corporation has marked the 30 year anniversary of its medical propellant brand, Zephex.
The company marked this occasion at its Rocksavage plant in Runcorn, UK.
Attended by senior members of the pharmaceutical industry, as well as UK Parliament, the celebration reflected on the company's legacy, while looking ahead to its role in suporting a low-carbon future.
During the last 30 years, Zephex propellants have been used in more than three billion pressurised metered dose inhalers (pMDIs), which have helped to treat 100m asthma and COPD patients each year.
At the event, Orbia ensured it would continue to supply Zephex 134a, the world's most widely-used medical propellant.
The company also committed to scaling up the production of next-generation, low global warming potential (GWP) Zephex 152a.
Through this dual appoach, Orbia hopes to support a "smooth industry transition to high-performance, sustainable products," the company stated in a press release.
Markus Laubscher, Business Unit Head for Pharma at Orbia Fluor & Energy Materials, said: “This week, we were pleased to be able to celebrate three successful decades of supporting respiratory patients worldwide. Our mission of widening access to life-saving, sustainable medical propellants through increased supply at affordable costs, will continue to drive our innovation and investments in the Zephex brand.”
Laubscher also celebrated the continued progress on the company's news Zephex 152a plant ahead of its opening next year.
"The multi-million pound investment into the new Rocksavage facility will expand production of Zephex 152a, supporting broad industry adoption for use in pMDIs and helping to reduce sector emissions," he noted.
Notable attendees and Orbia customers included Chris Hirst (CEO, Bespak), Alessandro Chiesi (Chairman, Chiesi Group), Claire Lund (VP Sustainability, GSK), Milton Boyer (CEO, Kindeva) and Dan Carden, U.K. Member of Parliament. Cipla also contributed virtually.
The event featured a panel discussion on the transition to low-GWP medical propellants, covering topics including emissions reduction, treatment access and regional economic benefits from the Rocksavage investment. Guests toured the plant, which will be the home of the new facility upon its completion in 2026.
