BASF to move Kolliphor production from US to Germany

Published: 1-May-2012

Transition to Minden plant will be completed by Q1 2014


BASF will transfer the pharmaceutical production of Kolliphor TPGS (Speziol TPGS Pharma, vitamin E polyethylene glycol succinate), manufactured at its Kankakee, Illinois, USA site, to its plant in Minden, Germany.

The transition should be completed by the first quarter of 2014, the German firm said.

Dr Thorsten Schmeller, head of global marketing new products at BASF’s Global Business Unit Pharma Ingredients & Services, said: ‘The relocation creates a more centralised production facility, reduces complexity in the production set up, and provides room for future expansion.’

The Minden site has manufactured active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and excipients under cGMP for more than 70 years and is regularly inspected by the FDA and European health authorities. BASF says it will be able to offer a Kolliphor TPGS grade that fulfils the requirements of an API.

Until the production in Minden is fully operational, BASF will continue to manufacture Kolliphor TPGS at the Kankakee site, which will support pharmaceutical and nutraceutical customers during the transition.

‘We have scheduled a generous supply overlap that we expect allows for a seamless transition,’ added Schmeller. ‘Our projection also takes into account the appropriate qualification period required to transition products used in pharmaceutical applications.’

BASF will begin Kolliphor TPGS production at the Minden site in the first quarter of 2013.

The Kankakee site remains an important production facility for BASF’s nutrition and health business. Besides food ingredients, the company manufactures ingredients for soaps, shampoos, detergents, coatings, inks and adhesives at the site.

Kolliphor TPGS is a water-soluble derivative of vitamin E that can directly enhance the bioavailability of poorly soluble active substances. It is commonly used in pharmaceutical and nutritional formulations, but also in cosmetics. Additionally it has plasticising effects that are beneficial for emerging technologies in the pharmaceutical industry such as hot melt extrusion.

You may also like